Xavi's plan for Sunday's Clasico against Real Madrid is becoming clearer. The Barcelona coach will still be missing several key players but will have Jules Kounde back. One of the unknowns, though, is how the French defender will be used. There are two scenarios: at right-back or at centre-back.
If Kounde plays on the right, Marcos Alonso will play alongside Eric Garcia in the middle of the back four. Then the doubt is who plays as the left-back: Alejandro Balde or Jordi Alba.
In contrast, if Kounde plays alongside Garcia in the middle, Sergi Roberto would continue at right-back and Alonso would be the pick at left-back.
That is Xavi's headache as he works out how to best stop Vinicius, who has been marked by Ronald Araujo in recent Clasico encounters.
Gerard Pique's form after his difficult night against Inter also complicates Xavi's plans as he was thinking that Pique could partner Garcia in defence. If that idea followed through, Kounde could slot in at right-back.
There are fewer doubts in midfield, where Xavi will bet on Busquets, Gavi and Pedri again. The presence of Vinicius could see Xavi place Gavi on the right side of the midfield as he is more aggressive. Frenkie de Jong is another option but he is likely to remain on the bench once again.
In attack, Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele are fixed, while Xavi is weighing up whether to go with Ansu Fati or Raphinha as the third forward. Raphinha is not comfortable on the left but Dembele also offers his best performance on the right. That could open the door for Ansu on the left. Ferran Torres is also waiting for his chance.
Midbeilmou
0
piersonsnyounbol
0
place Busquet as the defender instead of pique so dejong can play the defensive
razaklpry
1
xavi out
AmouliI
1
we are ready
Cehbcnrst
1
🔥🔥🔥
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nice one bro
Pamlnopryz
1
hala Madrid Spain
kandmopty
1
Just warning 🔜 Barcelona has best players need for best manager
leaksyd
5
see analysis and at the end of the game the white wins 🤍🤍🤍
Rezdeimop
1
Boyka2000
4
🔥🔥🔥
Boyka2000
1
🔥🔥🔥🔥
kueciopu
0
virus
Doscdmoty
0
I think this could be okay why we look the second half for a change
Showkeydaddy
2
pique praying to be among the first 11
hihilmnyz
2
Moxan
3
Ciyiors
2
if it was a friendly match Barça should win, but it's La Liga.
Renabdknp
4
it's a fact Barcelona will win this game
mahmudulislam007
1
hey xavi plz let pique gavi alba busquets pedri ferran play in elclassico. they are all spanish.
MuhammadAdam3470
3
hey culers what so ever you will do real Madrid will beat Barca
Siwdlstu
3
gavi, busquet and pedri again instead of franky de Jong!!! oh my God
siberiantiger
1
Before I read all these long long sentences, if you dare start Busquets, the DEITIES OF MY VILLAGE will visit you with a hunchback.
Lesdintuyz
1
wining team
jeff___
4
Rumors are that xavi won't change his plan for the clasico. xavi' s plan : We had the possession.. we deserve more.. this team deserves the win
Yakcdprsz
5
El classico
Jazyelavila
0
Honestly Real Madrid is going to win they are facing Real Madrid fans coach and players. On top refs injuries fans from Barca and tolls
Trolls
Jazyelavila
1
Honestly Real Madrid is going to win they are facing Real Madrid fans coach and players. On top refs injuries fans from Barca and tolls
Jazyelavila
0
Xavi got not tactics it’s not just about the poor player selection he always make All Barca play now is cross the ball tactics is not as if they even hv good crossers of the ball Confused average coach
What team have we faced this last couple games where one didn’t park the bus then counter attack 2. remind you we are just getting players back from injuries 3. Remind you and everyone that he looked for exits for some players to bring new ones. 4. That every time he changes something and it doesn’t work he gets hate that not only in the champions league but in la liga games there Barca has not only been facing other teams but the refs too including matches they won but fans don’t point them out then because all the care about is the score
Zihaemor
0
He used him for smaller teams to get his confidence up in that position if he puts him on against Bayren Inter Real Madrid what are people going to say that’s not his position xavi shouldn’t experiment
it seems to me that midfield is only for spanish people
Jazyelavila
0
He did not use when he was available
He used him for smaller teams to get his confidence up in that position if he puts him on against Bayren Inter Real Madrid what are people going to say that’s not his position xavi shouldn’t experiment
Jazyelavila
0
Line up based of comments hating on Xavis line ups because fans don’t like Alonso Alba pique busquets ferran torres or Sergio Roberto. We can always not do subs or use La masia players or make the injured players come play. At this point I don’t understand
Zihaemor
0
De jong just got back from injury and only only has played cdm matches vs small teams
He did not use when he was available
Mariosuarez2
2
Xavi got not tactics it’s not just about the poor player selection he always make All Barca play now is cross the ball tactics is not as if they even hv good crossers of the ball Confused average coach
Jazyelavila
0
always giving busguets instead of dejong is nonsense idea
De jong just got back from injury and only only has played cdm matches vs small teams
Jazyelavila
0
I will support Madrid this time if he uses that rubbish midfielders like Busquet,Gavi and Pedri
Because de jong and kessie just got back from injuries because they couldn’t bring more players because of the salary’s because he was pushing for players out but stayed
Jazyelavila
0
xavi planned starting line up alonso busquets pique alba then barva lose then excuse then we r barca all season remains why barca and xavi using slow and old players
You’re right let’s start like this let’s not forget de jong and kessie just came back from injuries let’s expose them and kounde might not make it but if he does let’s throw him in there to get injured again
Sewbdknt
0
😂🤣😀👇
Sssmansy
0
xavi plans for dancing
Jazyelavila
0
Xavi has a plan of letting Barcelona to loose all the marches by benching Jong and Kessie. And I understand that Barca's midfield is for Spanish. He will never make it in tough matches with his starting Spanish midfielders...
De jong and kessie just got back from injuries
tokbekmpt
0
_rachitt21
0
I will support Madrid this time if he uses that rubbish midfielders like Busquet,Gavi and Pedri
Bro why dont xavi start de jong over pedri ?? Do you know ?
papanstu
2
this is Barca's
Zihaemor
2
always giving busguets instead of dejong is nonsense idea
hueaelmnsy
0
Xavi has a plan of letting Barcelona to loose all the marches by benching Jong and Kessie. And I understand that Barca's midfield is for Spanish. He will never make it in tough matches with his starting Spanish midfielders...
Vopbcdlrtz
0
I will support Madrid this time if he uses that rubbish midfielders like Busquet,Gavi and Pedri
Akashjadav
0
xavi planned starting line up alonso busquets pique alba then barva lose then excuse then we r barca all season remains why barca and xavi using slow and old players
laebiosyz
1
wherever Alonso is placed, the opponents will celebrate and will be blessed... Alonso is too slow for the Madrid
Deebklprz
1
hala bangla ell"banglawala
Deebklprz
1
speak too much, but nothing... whoever he use, still are same,, the problem is the coach, not a player...
Dansmall
1
He has no plans. He will start start Busquets and bench De jong and Kessie.