Barcelona’s possible starting line-up vs Athletic in LaLiga week 25
Robert Lewandowski is set to return to the Barça XI as the Catalans seek to reassert their lead over Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga.
Xavi Hernández is expected to make four changes to his Barcelona side at Athletic Club on Sunday, as the LaLiga leaders bid to re-establish their nine-point advantage over Real Madrid.
On Saturday, second-placed Madrid cut the gap to a provisional six points, goals by VinÃcius Júnior, Éder Militao and Marco Asensio earning Los Blancos a 3-1 win over Espanyol at the Bernabéu.
Barça to welcome Lewandowski, Gavi back against Athletic
Barça central defender Ronald Araújo misses the trip to Bilbao after his sending-off in last Sunday’s 1-0 win at Valencia, so Marcos Alonso is set to come in for the Uruguayan at San Mamés. Alonso would operate as the left-hand centre-back, with Andreas Christensen switching to Araújo’s right-sided role.
Franck Kessié is likely to replace Sergio Roberto in midfield against Athletic, and Robert Lewandowski is poised to return at centre-forward after sitting out Barça’s last two games with a hamstring injury. Ferran Torres is expected to make way for the Pole.
Having served a one-match ban against Valencia, Gavi is also set to come back into the Barça line-up, the 18-year-old replacing Ansu Fati.
Clásico next up for league leaders
After facing Athletic, who are coached by former Blaugrana boss Ernesto Valverde, Barça host Madrid next weekend in a crunch top-of-the-table Clásico.
Barcelona’s possible line-up against Athletic Club:
Ter Stegen; Koundé, Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Balde; Kessié, Busquets, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi.
Substitutes:
Arnau Tenas, Iñaki Peña, Sergi Roberto, Alba, Eric, Alarcón, Pablo Torre, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati.
