FC Barcelona Vs. Real Betis Preview: Tactical Changes and Injury Concerns

FC Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi Hernandez, is gearing up for a crucial La Liga showdown against Real Betis at the Montjuic Stadium. Xavi is making three significant changes to his starting XI as Barcelona returns to their temporary home, hoping to replicate their earlier success.

In their previous match at Montjuic Stadium, Barcelona struggled until the 82nd minute when Ilkay Gundogan provided a vital assist for Pedri. Unfortunately, Gundogan’s injury during international duty will keep him sidelined for at least five to six weeks. To mitigate this loss, Xavi is opting for a midfield duo of Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, leaving Gundogan on the bench.

Tactically, Barcelona is shifting from a four-man midfield system to a 4-3-3 formation with pure wingers. This change sees Joao Felix making his starting debut, fulfilling his “dream” of playing for the club. Additionally, Ferran Torres gets his first start of the 2023/2024 season, bringing his work ethic and attitude to the forefront.

Barcelona’s defense also witnesses a transformation with Joao Cancelo, a natural right-back, making his starting debut alongside Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Alejandro Balde. Marc-Andre ter Stegen aims to keep a clean sheet.

Barcelona’s victory in this La Liga fixture could propel them to the top of the table ahead of current leaders Real Madrid. They are also preparing for a busy schedule, with seven matches in just 22 days, including their maiden Champions League outing. These changes and tactical shifts will be crucial as Barcelona seeks to maintain their winning momentum.