Barcelona make the trip to the Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes Stadium on Wednesday evening to square off against Granada in the Quarter Final of the Copa del Rey competition. The hosts are placed eighth in the La Liga points table and will find it an uphill task to face the Catalan giants this week.
When these two teams last went head to head at this venue in January 2021, Barcelona emerged victorious and thrashed Granada by four goals to nil. This encounter is expected to be more evenly contested despite the massive differences between the two clubs.
The Catalans will be without the services of Ansu Fati, Moussa Wague, Sergino Dest, Gerard Pique and Philippe Coutinho, who are all nursing their respective injuries at the sickbay. It will be interesting to see Koeman’s decisions for the fixture concerning team selection with a vital clash coming up with Paris Saint-Germain.
Here’s how Barcelona could take to the field on Wednesday.
Barcelona Predicted Line Up Against Granada
Barcelona Predicted Line Up Against Granada
Defence
Neto, who is Barcelona’s second-choice goalie, will be taking charge between the sticks for the Catalans. The Cup goalie has been impressive thus far and not put a foot wrong. Sergi Roberto who made a cameo appearance against Atheltic Bilbao after a massive injury lay off could get some much needed minutes under his belt against Granada at the right-back position. A centre back duo of Ronald Araujo and Clement Lenglet will be taking to the field in the heart of Barcelona’s defence. Despite the own goal last weekend, Jordi Alba will occupy the left-back position in the team.
Midfield
Sergio Busquets will replace Pjanic in midfield. The veteran Spanish midfielder’s importance to the side cannot be put into words. Busquets will be burdened with the responsibility of keeping things smooth and composed in midfield. To his either side, Busquets will have the two promising youngsters in Pedri and Riqui Puig. The two have assumed responsibility and adapted to the situation like seasoned footballers. Pedri will look to link up with Lionel Messi upfront, and the two have shown great chemistry as the season has progressed.
Attack
Lionel Messi will lead Barcelona’s attack as he has on so many occasions in the past. The Argentine has stepped up his game in recent matches and delivered the goods as and when it has mattered for his team. Messi will have the two flying Frenchman, Griezmann and Dembele, to his either side.
Griezmann, in particular, has started to do justice to the money spent on him by Barcelona. The attacker scored the winner against Athletic Bilbao and will want to add to his collection for the season. Trincao and Braithwaite will make up the numbers on the bench for Barcelona and will play some part in the game later on.
Barcelona Predicted Line Up Against Granada
