How Barcelona could line up against Sevilla

Barcelona head coach Xavi could be taking charge of La Blaugrana for the final time when the Catalonian giants head to Sevilla for their closing match of the 2023-24 La Liga season on Sunday.

The 44-year-old could comically be departing in spite of his recent U-turn on his resignation, as Hansi Flick is apparently in line to take charge for the 2024-25 campaign and beyond.

For what could be his last game as Barca boss, Xavi will not have Alejandro Balde (hamstring), Gavi (ACL) and Frenkie de Jong (ankle) at his disposal, but his side emerged unscathed from last Sunday’s 3-0 beating of Rayo Vallecano.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen kept his 15th clean sheet of the campaign in that fixture, but he cannot catch Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon at the top of the Golden Glove charts; the Spain international has 17 to his name.

As a result, Xavi is rumoured to be considering giving Inaki Pena a shot in between the sticks, but the backline of Pau Cubarsi, Jules Kounde, Joao Cancelo and Inigo Martinez – in favour over Ronald Araujo – should remain untouched.

Ilkay Gundogan’s midfield spot is safe too, but Andreas Christensen is vying to replace Sergi Roberto in the deepest engine room position, while Pedri scored twice off the bench against Vallecano and could step in for Fermin Lopez.

A delicate cross from Lamine Yamal to Robert Lewandowski triggered Barca’s goal rush last weekend, and the pivotal pair ought to continue in the final third alongside Raphinha for the closing weekend.

Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Cancelo; Pedri, Christensen, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha