How will Barcelona line up against Celta Vigo in a crucial La Liga trip?

Barcelona return from the international break to begin their end of the year schedule with a very difficult La Liga trip against Celta Vigo at Balaídos, looking to return to winning ways after a defeat to Real Sociedad last time out.

The had won seven games in a row in all competitions before the loss at Anoeta, and will hope to regain that brilliant form to maintain their comfortable position at the top of the table. But Celta are having a very good season and have played nothing but highly entertaining games so far, and are always very difficult to beat at home.

Defense

Barça’s injury issues continue and a few key pieces are missing as  a busy calendar and a couple of brutal matches in December to finish 2024, but Flick has already proven he can deal with an injury crisis and still have a competitive team on the pitch every single time.

The good news is none of the starting back four of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez and Alejandro Balde are an injury question mark for Saturday, so Barça’s excellent backline players can all start in this one in front of Iñaki Peña.

Midfield

Flick has a nice selection headache in midfield as Frenkie de Jong and Gavi continue to work their way back to full fitness, and we think the coach will pick his Dutch captain for a big game on the road focusing on more control and giving Marc Casadó more freedom to be a pitbull all over the pitch.

That would also allow Pedri to play further forward as a number 10 in this one, which might prove crucial given Lamine Yamal is likely to miss out due to injury. Celta play a back five without the ball which calls for extra creative spark in the final third, and Pedri’s ability to play incisive passes to the forwards through the middle could be a decisive factor on Saturday.

Attack

Yamal’s probable absence opens a spot up front that will likely be occupied by Dani Olmo, who had a very productive time with Spain during the international window and will be hoping to continue the brilliant start to his Barça career. We think he will start on the left in this one, with Raphinha moving to the right as a more natural replacement for Yamal and Robert Lewandowski, who is good to go after a minor back issue, leading the line as usual.

Possible XI: Peña; Kounde, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde; Casadó, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Olmo (4-3-3)