Predicted XI

Griezmann dropped? – How Barcelona could line up against Elche

Barcelona will need to pick up all three points against Elche if they want to cling on to any hopes of challenging for the league title this season

3:44pm on Tuesday 23rd February 2021
By Stefan Bienkowski

Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman will be hoping his side can get back to winning ways, following Sunday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Cadiz.

On Wednesday the Catalan side host Elche in a match that Koeman’s side really can’t afford to drop any more points in. Barcelona need to win this match and the Dutch coach will need to pick a team that can ensure victory.

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Fortunately for the Barca head coach, the Spanish side have no new injury concerns to worry themselves with and should be able to pick a similar side to the one that played on Sunday.

In defence, Koeman will once again call upon Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the posts with Gerard Pique joined in the middle of defence by Samuel Umtiti, who’ll likely step into the side in place of Clement Lenglet.

With games coming thick and fast, Koeman is likely to make some further changes in defence with Oscar Mingueza coming in to play at right-back and Junior Firpo on the left.

The Dutch manager has no fresh injury worries in midfield but should be able to welcome back Miralem Pjanic, who will likely start in the middle of the park alongside Riqui Puig and Sergio Busquets in a typical midfield trio.

Naturally, Lionel Messi will take up his place as the centre forward in this Barcelona line up, with Ousmane Dembele on the right and Antoine Griezmann on the left.