Barcelona must shake off the embarrassment of a 4-0 Clasico defeat to Real Madrid when they return to La Liga action on Monday night with the visit of Girona.
Xavi’s hopes for more silverware this season were dashed as Barça saw their slim 1-0 advantage in the Copa del Rey semi-finals wiped out by a dominant Blancos side at Camp Nou in a 4-0 defeat on Wednesday night.
Monday night sees them host Girona, who have been sharp in front of goal but lax when defending their own this season.
Here’s the side Xavi could select.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Well on track to win his first ever Zamora Trophy in La Liga.
RB: Jules Kounde – Played centrally in the Copa del Rey defeat and may be shuffled back out wide considering the 4-0 scoreline.
CB: Ronald Araujo – Had his regular scrap with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and should revert to centre-back.
CB: Marcos Alonso – Andreas Christensen is out injured and Eric Garcia still isn’t fancied by Xavi, leaving Alonso to play in central defence.
LB: Alejandro Balde – Has been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks, but then again who hasn’t?
CM: Franck Kessie – Frenkie de Jong isn’t expected to be back from injury, leaving Kessie to deputise.
CM: Sergio Busquets – Looks to be coming to the end of his playing days at Barça but still pirouettes out of danger whenever needed.
CM: Gavi – Barça could use a little more creativity in midfield with a few key absences, so Gavi could play there to accommodate another attacker.
RW: Raphinha – Hasn’t convinced all Barça fans this season but has still contributed six goals and four assists in La Liga.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Should be crowned the top goalscorer in La Liga this season, sitting on 17 strikes, leading Karim Benzema by three.
LW: Ansu Fati – Scored Barça’s second in the 4-0 win over Elche before coming on as a substitute in the Copa del Rey.
