Reigning Spanish La Liga champions Barcelona picked up what was just their fifteenth league victory of the season after they came back from a goal behind on two separate occasions to beat Real Betis by a 3-2 scoreline last time out. The Blaugrana were given a tough time at the back by Betis, and Quique Setien was forced into making changes in an attempt to affect the pace and intensity of the fixture.
The gaffer’s spell as the manager of Barcelona hasn’t got off to the best of starts, having won just three of his last five La Liga outings. This visit by Getafe to Catalonia is sure to come us a good opportunity for the manager to expose some of the talented Barcelona players to his dynamic and high-energy attacking system, while also testing out the different personnel changes that he can afford to make.
Team News
Ousmane Dembele’s untimely knock in training in recent weeks has undoubtedly come as a gutting blow to the squad. With the speedster not expected to return until later in the year, the manager could have to depend on his younger stars a lot more. Luis Suarez’s meniscus problem isn’t going to permit him to return to action anytime soon, while Clement Lenglet’s second yellow card against Betis earned him a deserved one-match suspension.
4-3-3 Barcelona Predicted Lineup Vs Getafe
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence
With Neto out injured and unavailable for selection, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is surely a shoo-in for the shot-stopper’s role, with Quique’s selection concerns only kicking in once he gets to the centre-half position. Lenglet’s injury could come as good news to French star Samuel Umtiti, who is expected to start alongside Gerard Pique for this La Liga encounter against Getafe. Jordi Alba is set to come back into the side in place of Junior Firpo, while Nelson Semedo should continue at right-back.
Midfield
Frenkie De Jong has become one of the most important members of this Barcelona midfield since he joined ahead of the start of the campaign. The Dutchman’s control and finesse in the middle of the park has been a real gift to the new manager. Alongside the prodigious youngster, expect to see Sergio Busquets operating as the midfield pivot, while Arthur Melo will be responsible for bringing the Catalan attackers into the game efficiently.
Attack
In the long-term absence of Luis Suarez, French World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann is expected to operate in the central striker’s role, with world superstar Lionel Messi set to start on the right side. Ansu Fati should be given the left-sided role by Quique, to form what is indeed a considerable attacking trio. While Messi and Fati both have enough quality to provide width or cut inside as per requirement, Griezmann will be responsible for linking up play and making the right forward runs.
