A match which early on in the season already has so much significance to it .The host will be hoping for a win to go above their bitter rival while the visitors will try to extend their lead at the top of the table. Taking a look at the tactical aspect of the game, Xavi will be faced with the following issues;
STOPPING JUDE BELLINGHAM
The Englishman has been in superb scoring since the start of the season, leading the pichichi race with 8 goals to his name. He appears to be the latest Real Madridʼs hitman who would be gunning at the Barcelonaʼs defense come Saturday. Having found an answer to the threat posed by Vini in Ronald Araujo, the Catalan side have to be aware of Real Madridʼs newest talisman Jude Bellingham.
THE MIDFIELD STRUCTURE
For a match which would be won and lost in the midfield, it is unknown what the Barcelona manager decides to go with in the middle of the park. Still plagued by injuries, Barcelona will be without Pedri and may not get the whole orchestral service of Frenkie De jong. Xavi would need to formulate a working system in the middle of the park.
A four man midfield cannot be ruled out, as it can be used to counter that of Real Madridʼs. Whilst Gundogan continues on his good form and with the return of Gavi after his suspension for the game against Shakhtar at midweek, Barcelona will still probably be left with only three first team midfielder in the matchday squad.
THE STARTING LINEUP
Whilst the way Xavi would set up his team is still to be known, one would expect Ronald Araujo to be deployed at right back to square of against Vini jr. once more.Which means Joao Cancelo would have to take up another role probably in the midfield, a position which he is familiar with considering his time at Manchester city. Xavi is expected to go with a four man midfield to counter that of Madridʼs, two players will have to be dropped.
Oriol Romeu who has become a target for on a day when Barcelona would be without some of their key players , Xavi would be hoping for some of his players to replicate their best performances on Saturday. Joao Felix has been involved in every good thing that has happened to Barcelona in attack through the course of their injury crisis and on Saturday the club will need the best version of the Portuguese star.
While Fermin Lopez has been a revelation in the absence of Pedri so far this season. Xavi will need the 20 years old midfielder to put in a display similar to one he had at midweek against Shakhtar. Therefore the starting lineup should be; Ter Stegen , Araujo, Christensen, Inigo Martinez, Balde, Gundogan, Gavi, Fermin, Cancelo , Ferran , Joao Felix.
