Barcelona will look to snap a run of three games without a goal when they face a resurgent Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Barça followed up their hefty Copa del Rey defeat to Real Madrid with goalless draws to Girona and Getafe, though they still have a nine-point lead at the top of La Liga.
Here’s the side Xavi could pick to beat an Atletico side looking to snatch second place from Real.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Has conceded only nine goals in La Liga this season, a remarkable effort.
RB: Jules Kounde – Will end the season with more starts at right-back than centre-back for his new club. Sergi Roberto’s absence means he will continue here.
CB: Ronald Araujo – Having to lead Barça in defense without partner Andreas Christensen.
CB: Eric Garcia – Could start ahead of Marcos Alonso, who has been thrown into central defence more regularly than you’d think this season.
LB: Alejandro Balde – Looks to have usurped Jordi Alba in the left-back standings and should have the spot for the foreseeable future.
CM: Gavi – Pedri is still sidelined and Gavi’s industry and tenacity will come in handy against one of the most provacative teams in Europe.
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CM: Sergio Busquets – MLS interest in Busquets is strong, though Xavi is eager for the veteran to stick around a little longer.
CM: Franck Kessie – Roberto might have filled in here, but his absence gives a starting opportunity for Kessie, who has made 16 La Liga appearances from the bench this season.
RW: Raphinha – Must provide more creativity and guile in attack if Barça are to break down a feared Atleti back line.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Recently admitted he hasn’t been that good since the World Cup. Still leads the La Liga scoring charts (17) with three more than Karim Benzema.
LW: Ansu Fati – The young Spaniard’s starting spot is by no means assured – he only has one goal in his last 16 appearances.
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On this edition of 90min’s Definitive European Power Rankings, part of the 90min podcast network, Sean Walsh and Jack Gallagher discuss the top 10 teams from across the continent after a busy week of Champions League quarter-finals.
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