How will Barça's attack line up without De Jong vs. Athletic?

Luuk de Jong will be missing for Barcelona's trip to Athletic Club on Thursday. The Dutch forward served the first match of a two-game ban in the Copa del Rey against Linares but still has one more game to serve after getting sent off for Sevilla in last season's semifinal defeat to Barça.

Xavi Hernandez has other options in attack. In theory, four players are playing for three roles: Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres, Ousmane Dembele and Memphis Depay. Abde and Ferran Jutgla are also options.

Dembele's situation, with the Frenchman likely to leave in June, complicates Xavi's decision. Until now, the coach has counted on him. Of the four available, he's the player with the most rhythm following a run of matches.

Ansu and Ferran Torres made their first appearances under Xavi in the Supercopa last week and Memphis has not started yet since returning from a hamstring injury.

Barça have had a clean week to prepare for Athletic. Xavi only gave the players Sunday off, so the three forwards have had a mini preseason ahead of San Mames.

For that reason, both Ansu and Ferran are likely to start. The doubt is whether Memphis or Dembele will line up alongside them.

Without the context of his renewal, there would be no doubts over Dembele. But we will have to see how his refusal to sign a new deal will change his playing situation.

The other doubt is who will play through the middle with De Jong out. Against Madrid, Xavi tried ansu, but Memphis and Ferran can also play centrally.

From there, there are various combinations. One option is Ferran on the right wing, Memphis through the middle and Ansu on the left. But there are more. Dembele could go left and Ferran right, like against Madrid, with Ansu through the middle instead of the suspended Luuk.

Another option would be Dembele on the right, Ansu on the left and Ferran as the No.9. Less likely is Xavi leaving Ferran Torres and betting on a trio of Dembele, Memphis and Ansu, right to left.

On the bench will be Jutgla and Abde, who will lose weight in the team with so many players coming back. Martin Braithwaite is also closing in on a return as well.