Barça wants to consolidate its new direction in the return of Valverde

Barça wants to consolidate its new direction in the return of Valverde

Xavi's men welcome Athletic with the incentive of receiving 'Txingurri', back at the Camp Nou for the first time since his dismissal

BARCELONA, 22 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

FC Barcelona receives Athletic Club this Sunday (9:00 p.m.) in a duel in which the Catalans will try to consolidate their change in dynamics, while the 'Lions' want to defend Europe when Ernesto Valverde returns for the first time to the Spotify Camp Nou .

Xavi Hernández's team recovered their optimism against Villarreal, in a week-to-week match that allowed them to reconcile with their fans, after the setback in the Champions League and the Clásico. Thus, they also recovered the good game harvested in their league debut that did not appear in the first crucial moment of the season.

Robert Lewandowski continues adding two by two to the joy of Barcelona, ​​who also celebrates the step forward of Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres in attack. Their great participation since the defeat (3-1) against Real Madrid once again places them at the same level as Ousmane Dembélé and Raphinha, owners of the bands to date without penalty or glory in the last month of competition.

Both the French and the Brazilian rested against the 'Yellow Submarine', so theoretically they would return to the eleven unless the one from Terrassa bets on giving continuity to the great moment of form of the two young Spanish wingers, both in search of convincing the coach Luis Enrique to go to the World Cup in Qatar.

A situation similar to that of Sergio Busquets, who could see the game again as a substitute against the regularity of Frenkie de Jong in midfield. However, the Dutchman could advance his position to rest Pedri or Gavi, both immovable inside after Kessié's gray start as a 'culé' and the testimonial role of Pablo Torre.

"I would like to give some the continuity they deserve, but there have been physical discomforts and fatigue. The priority is for the team to be one hundred percent. Surely we will make changes because the calendar requires it; there are very tired players and there are physical discomforts. We will vary the team to try to put them in difficulties", indicated the Catalan coach at a press conference.

At the back, still touched by the losses of Christensen and Ronald Araújo, Xavi could bet on Koundé and Eric García, who did not go out on the pitch in the last match, while Alejandro Balde could recover the left lane despite the good role of Jordi Alba last Thursday. On the right side, Héctor Bellerín aims to start once he has overcome his physical problems in the soleus.

For his part, Ernesto Valverde returns to what was his home, where he touched the sky in the League and could not avoid the chaos in 'Champions' for two and a half years. Thus, the 'Txingurri' will live a special meeting when returning to the Barça benches for the first time since 2020. Precisely, the Extremaduran has been the last coach of the Catalan team to raise the domestic competition, something that he did two seasons in a row.

Now, in command of Athletic Club in his third stage, Valverde will try to attack his old fort to consolidate the European spot for the 'Lions', who have not won in the culé fiefdom for 21 years. An apparently complicated milestone, which could open the 'culé' wound before facing Bayern Munich in the 'Champions'.

The 'Lions' do not want to give up their European place, so they will seek to return to the path of victory after two draws and a consecutive defeat. For this, Alex Berenguer points to the eleven, resting in Getafe, while Dani García could return to the pivot due to the tight schedule. DATA SHEET.

FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Héctor Bellerin, Eric Garcia, Koundé, Balde; Busquets, Of Jong, Pedri; Ansu Fati, Lewandowski and Dembele.

ATHLETIC CLUB: Unai Simón; De Marcos, Yerai, Íñigo Martínez, Lekue; Vesga, Sancet; Nico Williams, Muniain, Alex Berenguer and Iñaki Williams.

--REFEREE: Martinez Munuera (C.Valenciano).

--STADIUM: Spotify Camp Nou.

--TIME: 9:00 p.m./Movistar LaLiga.