Xavi's big problem for his Catalan derby debut

Xavi's big problem for his Catalan derby debut

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The coach is set to pick a 4-3-3 but who will feature in attack?

Xavi Hernandez will coach Barcelona for the first time against Espanyol on November 20. There are lots of unknowns about how he will line up. Injuries have hurt Barcelona badly this season.

It’s likely he’ll pick a 4-3-3 formation, in paper with Memphis Depay and Demir on the wing and Luuk de Jong in attack - nobody else is fit. However De Jong doesn’t have the profile Xavi would want in a player. So he might use Memphis in the centre and open the pitch up with another player on the wing.

Gavi and Dest have been used out there, while Jutgla, Abde and Ilias Akhomach are options from the youth teams. Of these, only Abde has made his debut.

Xavi must decided if he wants to turn to the youth team or or reposition current first teamers.

Ansu Fati, Aguero, Dembele and Braithwaite are all still out. The first to return will probably be Dembele, although you never know.

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