Official: Barcelona starting XI against Espanyol | La Liga | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are set to kick off their game against Espanyol soon and it will be a crucial one for them. After all, this game could potentially crown the Catalan giants as the winners of La Liga this season. All Barcelona needs is a win, no matter how they manage to get it.

Following their victory over Real Madrid recently, La Blaugrana have been eyeing this match. It all now comes to this, as Barça will be aiming for all three points against their local rivals in the hopes of finally clinching the La Liga title that they have worked so hard for all season.

However, Espanyol will hardly make this easy for Hansi Flick’s side. After all, the last time Barcelona managed to secure a La Liga title at their stadium, things got out of hand quickly. Still, those things will hardly stop La Blaugrana from putting their all in this game, and Flick’s chosen starting eleven will have a big say in that.

Here is the official Barcelona starting line-up for this derby.

In goal, Wojciech Szczesny retains his place as the team’s starting goalkeeper. While he has been conceding a lot of goals recently, this is another big opportunity for him to aim for a clean sheet and look to help his team.

Over in the defense, Andreas Christensen starts alongside Ronald Araujo. The Danish defender was being reported as a potential addition to this starting eleven even before as well, and it has now been confirmed that he will be among the starters for this game.

On their flanks, Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin will be starting for Barcelona. They will be expected to cover a lot of ground for the team, and it is an essential duty considering just how much Hansi Flick’s system relies on them as well.

Eric Garcia starts for Barcelona against Espanyol. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As for the midfield, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong will be the ones to take charge in the double pivot. They will need to circulate possession well while also keeping in mind their defensive duties and helping out the team as much as possible across the field.

Ahead of them, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha cover the wings for Barcelona. Both of them have been in exceptional form throughout the season, and the praise for Yamal just keeps on coming. In between the two wingers, Dani Olmo will start as the team’s central attacking midfielder.

At the front of the formation, Robert Lewandowski starts for Barcelona. With Ferran Torres having undergone surgery recently, it makes sense as to why the Polish striker is starting already despite having just recently returned from injury.