Messi to return - How Barcelona could line-up versus Cadiz

8:40am on Friday 4th December 2020
By Martin Macdonald

Lionel Messi is set to return to Barcelona's starting XI for this weekend's La Liga match against Cadiz.

The Blaugrana have been struggling domestically so far this season but have been doing just fine in the Champions League, with qualification already secured before Matchday Five.

That presented Ronald Koeman with the opportunity to rotate his squad again, just like he did against Dynamo Kyiv the previous week.

Messi was rested in the win over Ferencvaros, but will return on Saturday.

Barcelona are still in the middle of a defensive crisis of sorts, with Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto all currently out injured.

However, they should be boosted by the return of Clement Lenglet, who has been out for around 10 days. He'll partner youngster Oscar Mingueza in the heart of the defence, with Sergino Dest and Jordi Alba in the full-back positions.

Frenkie de Jong should be recalled to the starting XI, potentially at the expense of Miralem Pjanic.

Ousmane Dembele finished the Ferencvaros game wearing the captain's armband and got on the scoresheet from the penalty spot so should be given another chance to impress alongside Messi and Antoine Griezmann.

Martin Braithwaite is in a rich vein of goalscoring form and should start.

Ansu Fati is a lon-term absentee.