How will Barcelona line up against Granada?

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Changes are coming to the starting XI

Barcelona return to action after their Champions League drubbing against Bayern Munich with a visit from Granada on Monday night.

It’s the start of a hectic week for the Catalan giants who also play Cadiz and Levante before jetting off to Portugal to take on Benfica.

Ronald Koeman’s under a fair bit of pressure after the Bayern defeat and is still without a host of players due to injury.

Let’s look at who might feature:

Defense

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There will be changes in defense with Jordi Alba out injured and likely to be replaced by teenager Alejandro Balade at left-back.

The right-back slot also appears up for grabs. Sergino Dest has been out with an ankle injury, Oscar Mingueza will be hoping to get the nod, and Sergi Roberto is an option too.

Koeman also has to make decisions in central defense. He started three center-backs against Bayern but it’s thought he’ll return to a 4-3-3 on Monday.

Gerard Pique is probably a guaranteed starter which means it’s between Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, and Clement Lenglet for the other spot.

Midfield

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There’s no Pedri for this one which means hopefully we’ll get to see Gavi start but probably means we’ll see Sergi Roberto in midfield again.

Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong look set to continue, although there may be rotation later in the week given the busy schedule.

Nico Gonzalez could get some more minutes off the bench, while Philippe Coutinho will also be hoping for another outing after making his comeback against Bayern.

Attack

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Barca’s attack remains decimated by injury with Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero, and Martin Braithwaite all still sidelined.

Koeman doesn’t have too many options but will hope Memphis Depay can get back in the goals and continue his bright start to life in La Liga.

Yusuf Demir is being tipped to start this game and Luuk de Jong may also get the nod again after a disappointing debut against Bayern.

Possible XI: Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Pique, Araujo, Balde; De Jong, Busquets, Gavi; Memphis, Luuk de Jong, Demir.

How do you think Barcelona should line up against Granada? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!

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