FC Barcelona Ideal Lineups

A fixed starting XI is one of the core principles for consistency. And consistency breads continuous brilliance. With Barcelona kicking off La Liga against Real Sociedad, it seems like the right time to draft my ideal XI for the match, the expected lineup and the strongest possible lineup this season.

My Ideal Lineup vs Real Sociedad

In goal, Neto would be my choice taking the friendlies into consideration. He was monumental against Juventus and should be starting ahead of Inaki Pena. 

In defence, Ronald Araujo has to be starting alongside Gerard Pique, with the latter fresh off taking a huge wage cut to help Barcelona register Memphis, Garcia and Rey Manaj. Left back, of course, it will be Jordi Alba and Dest would be my pick for right back spot owing to Emerson’s lack of match fitness. 

In midfield, Busquets and De Jong are available and should be starting the game for me and alongside them it’s a choice that has to be made. I personally wouldn’t start Pedri for the first game even though he is ready as it has been a very long season for him and he hasn’t had a break. I think I would like to see Riqui Puig coming off the bench rather than starting. Gavi, has impressed during Pre-Season, and he surely deserves to start.

Up front, the top 2 names on the team sheet would have to be Memphis Depay and Griezmann. I would like to see Griezmann play as an false nine, dropping in and dictating play. And Memphis starting on the left making the runs in behind and occasionally dropping deep to help with the build up. For the right wing spot, I would start Yusuf Demir. He has proven during Pre-Season that he is capable of playing for the first team and would provide much needed width on the right flank. 

Koeman’s Expected Lineup vs Real Sociedad 

In goal, I think Neto would be Koeman’s choice as well. He has been trusted upon by Koeman during Pre-Season and will most probably be starting the game. 

In defence, although Koeman does prefer a right and left footed pairing, it will mostly be Araujo and Pique starting. Umtiti can’t be trusted upon, while Lenglet’s lack of pace and ball playing ability doesn’t complement either Pique or Araujo. At full back, Alba and Dest would fill the spots. 

In midfield, I think Koeman will start his trusted trio of Busquets-De Jong-Pedri. Last season, Koeman has shown his reluctance when it comes to rotating the team in midfield. Pedri not getting a sufficient break does point towards him being trusted upon in the early stages of the season. Koeman did say Gavi will have a mask on and would be available for selection, so we might see him come off the bench.

Up front, Griezmann and Memphis are guaranteed starters even in Koeman’s eyes. Koeman has sung praises of Griezmann in his press conference as well and we can expect him to be a vital part of the team. Koeman has shown us last season that he is not afraid to play the youngsters and owing to Demir’s work ethic and rise, I expect Koeman to put his trust in him. 

My Strongest Lineup for the Season

In goal, Ter Stegen has to be the man to put on the gloves. Although he has lost some part of his old self, he is still Barcelona’s No. 1. With Messi gone, the defence needs to stop conceding goals at an alarming rate and Ter Stegen needs to step up.

In defence, Araujo has to establish himself as a starter this season. His pace, 1V1 prowess and ability in the air are crucial for Barcelona at the back. With Araujo ranking above 94 percentile for tackles in the middle 3rd per 90 and above 89th percentile for pressures in the middle 3rd per 90 among defenders last season, we do understand that he is a defender always on the front foot willing to play a high line. Playing someone like Mingueza, who also is a front foot defender would be risky. Alongside him a ball playing conservative centre back like Pique or Garcia would be perfect. I don’t think Pique’s legs can sustain the entire season and hopefully we can see Garcia grow into a component defender. At left back, Jordi Alba has to be the man for the job. At right back, initially I went for Emerson over Dest due to his defensive prowess, but well here we are at the end of the transfer window and Emerson is sold 29 days after signing for Barcelona. Well, Dest will be the starter at right back.

In midfield, it has to be the trusted trio of Busquets-De Jong-Pedri. They work so well together and with more experience would only do better. I think this season with Memphis making the runs into the box, De Jong could take up more of a creative role. This would also allow Pedri to push forward as he did for Spain at the Euros to great effect. Puig should be the main man coming off the bench for the last 20-30 minutes giving the midfield some energy. Nico Gonzalez and Gavi should get ample amount of opportunities as well and Koeman does seem to want to play  Roberto often in midfield.

Up front, initially I went with a frontline of Griezmann, Memphis and Ansu Fati, but well times change and Griezmann whom I touted for an important central role this season has gone to Atletico Madrid. Memphis Depay and Ansu Fati will certainly be starters up front, but they do take up similar spaces and could have similar roles. Brilliant in 1V1 situations, clinical finishers and have some pace to show as well, I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep switching in and out from left wing to centre forward throughout the game. I think Memphis Depay provides a bit more creative and last season at Lyon he had a false nine role, although that seems unlikely in a Ronald Koeman system. Dembele would fill the right wing, providing raw pace and dribbling ability on the flank. Aguero should be in and around the team if he stays fit. Collado, whom Koeman doesn’t seem to rate and Demir should get their chances to shine as well. While Braithwaite and Luuk De Jong might be used as utility players.

There you have it, my ideal lineup for the opening La Liga game as well as for the season. Comment down below the lineup you would like to see, share the content and why not check out the Pre-Season Round-up, if you haven’t already. Thanks for stopping by, I hope to see you back soon and remember it’s more than a blog.