Barcelona predicted lineup vs Alaves - La Liga
By Tom Gott
Barcelona will begin their fresh start after Ronald Koeman's departure with a visit from Alaves.
The team is now temporarily in the hands of B-team boss Sergi Barjuan, who will look to get the most out of Barcelona's struggling squad, but he'll have to navigate plenty of injuries and fitness problems when choosing his first lineup.
Here's what the boss could opt for.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Alaves - La Liga
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK) - Ter Stegen has managed just two clean sheets so far this season and will be expecting to make it three here.
Sergino Dest (RB) - Having bizarrely played as a winger against Rayo Vallecano, expect Dest to drop back to his preferred position.
Eric Garcia (CB) - Ronald Araujo isn't fit to return from a hamstring injury, so Garcia will likely get his minutes.
Gerard Pique (CB) - There's no way Pique will miss out on this one. Barjuan will be reliant on leaders like him to steady the ship.
Jordi Alba (LB) - Just like Pique, Alba's spot in the squad is guaranteed.
2. Midfielders
Sergio Busquets (DM) - He's been poor so far this season but may relish the change of system that will come with Barjuan's arrival.
Gavi (CM) - Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are both out, while Sergi Roberto is expected to miss out too, so Gavi should walk into this squad.
Riqui Puig (CM) - Could this finally be Riqui's time? With all the injuries, it's down to him and young Nico Gonzalez, so this final midfield spot should be his.
3. Forwards
Yusuf Demir (RW) - The youngster should be welcomed back in from the cold now that Koeman has gone, and injuries to Ansu Fati, Martin Braithwaite and Ousmane Dembele should see him start.
Sergio Aguero (ST) - Now close to full fitness, expect Aguero to see his second consecutive start.
Memphis Depay (LW) - Memphis hasn't really benefitted from being shunted out wide over these past few weeks, but Barjuan has no other options right now.