Pep Guardiola’s decision to grant rest to thirteen players for the match against BATE Borisov has served to provide the first clues about what will be the preparation of the starting lineup on Saturday to face Real Madrid in the Bernabeu classic.
The Santpedor has clear main parts in the coming days and eventually to meditate how to fit them to deal a new blow to the whole of Mourinho.
Of the thirteen elected, nine of them seem to have secured a place in the team. Victor Valdes is the sticks, Alves, Abidal and Mascherano form in the defense, Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta formed the midfield, while Cesc andMessi will be on offense.
From this backbone, two positions remain to be decided among four candidates. Puyol, Keita, Villa and Alexis Sanchez will fight for a place in the team’s mission is to revive the options Barca fight for the league title.
If Guardiola does not back down and comply with the plan that has been meditating for weeks, would be input Puyol on the bench. The Guardiola is well aware of the option to play with a 3-4-3 and the three defenders who are in better shape and are faster with Alves, Abidal and Mascherano.
Yes, the captain is always an element to consider in these types of games, as demonstrated last season. Puyol was vital in the semifinals of the Champions at left. The player was sacrificed, despite his sore knee and was crucial to reach the final at Wembley.
In midfield, Seydou Keita has emerged as the fourth candidate for the midfield in case Guardiola opted for the risky 3-4-3. The mall would be the correction to compensate for the core. Would move to pivot when Busquets was delayed to help Mascherano in central defense and would be a solution in the center of the field in attack to secure possession.
In addition, Keita very well defended the actions of the opposing pieces with its powerful air. These are some of the virtues that can lead to Santpedor to place the African in the starting lineup.
The presence of a spot in Keita would be disputed attack that Villa and Alexis Sanchez. The `Guaje Is part with the advantage of always having answered the big races. The best example was at the Bernabeu in the first leg of the Super Cup when he rescued the team in the most delicate moments with a goal or penalty forcing the goal that served to tie last season. Alexis, meanwhile, said more intense pressure.
