Barcelona have endured a shaky start to the La Liga campaign by their very high standards and the defending Spanish champions suffered an extremely disappointing 4-3 defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo a front night ago ahead of the international round of fixtures.
Heading into the international break on the back of a defeat is most certainly very difficult and one can be sure that Luis Enrique’s men will be determined to get back to winning ways when they welcome Deportivo de La Coruna at the Nou Camp this weekend.
Here is the strongest possible Barcelona lineup for the clash against Deportivo de La Coruna –
Goalkeeper
Marc-Andre ter Stegen put in a horror showing in the defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo last time out but the German international is unlikely to be dropped for the encounter with Deportivo, especially as second choice Jasper Cillessen is currently out injured.
That said, Enrique will surely be demanding a much improved performance from his goalkeeper during the encounter and ter Stegen himself will be looking to prove a point to his critics.
Defence
It is safe to say that a backline which conceded four goals most certainly did not perform well and Enrique will surely make changes to the lineup which started against Celta last time out.
Sergi Roberto and Gerard Pique are certain starters but there is a possibility that Jeremy Mathieu will be dropped in favour of Javier Mascherano and even Lucas Digne could start for Jordi Alba, who is rated as a doubt ahead of the clash.
Midfield
Andre Gomes and Arda Turan started against Celta but the duo did not perform particularly well and it is expected that Andres Iniesta will be returning to the start alongside Sergio Busquets.
Ivan Rakitic is also an injury doubt and if the Croatian international is not passed fit, Turan should be handed a chance to redeem himself from the start.
Attack
Lionel Messi is still struggling with injury and as a further blow; even Neymar’s participation has been put into question due to fitness related issues.
Luis Suarez looks set to be leading the line for Barcelona and if Messi and Neymar both miss out, expect the duo of Rafinha and Paco Alcacer to be handed starts.
(4-3-3)
Probable Barcelona Lineup: ter Stegen; Digne, Mascherano, Pique, Roberto; Iniesta, Busquets, Turan; Neymar, Suarez, Rafinha
