When they play Deportivo Alaves in La Liga on Sunday afternoon, Barcelona will want to get off to a good start before the international break.

The Blaugrana have had a rough few weeks, losing two of their last three games in all categories. Girona is pulling away at the top of the table, so Xavi Hernandez and his team need to win this weekend to stay in touch.

The game will not be easy for Barcelona because they are having a bad time right now, even though the two teams are very different in size and skill.

UD Almeria was the last team Alaves played, and they beat them 1-0. They have only lost one of their last five games in all tournaments.

Because of this, the defending La Liga winners will be under a lot of pressure tomorrow afternoon at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic.

Frenkie de Jong and Sergi Roberto are hurt, and Gavi is suspended, so Xavi doesn’t have many choices in the middle of the field. In addition, here’s how Barcelona could play in their last game before the 2023 international break.

Starting Points

There might be some changes in the offense, especially after how they’ve been playing lately, but the defense shouldn’t be too surprising.

Even though Sergi Roberto isn’t playing, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will still be captain of the team and will play in goal for Barcelona against Deportivo Alaves on Sunday.

After not starting in the loss to Shakhtar Donetsk last week, Jules Kounde should be put back into the starting lineup at the center of the Blaugrana defense. The Frenchman is likely to play with Ronald Araujo, who is back to full health after hurting himself in the last game.

There is no one else Xavi can choose but Joao Cancelo to play right back because he is naturally good at that position. Alejandro Balde, who was recently left off of Spain’s team, should come back and play left-back instead of Marcos Alonso.

This season, Ilkay Gundogan hasn’t had much of a break. However, he probably won’t be rested against Alaves because Barcelona needs a win badly. Because of this, the German player is likely to play as a center midfielder tomorrow.

Not having Gavi or Frenkie de Jong means that Pedri will make his first start since coming back from a two-month illness layoff. The 20-year-old’s appearance should help Barcelona’s offensive efforts, and Fermin Lopez should add more creativity and energy.

Robert Lewandowski should start from the start up top as he tries to lead Barcelona’s comeback from the front.

Following his time on the bench against Shakhtar Donetsk, Joao Felix should be brought back into the game on the left side. Lamine Yamal could be another new face in attack since he hasn’t started any of Barcelona’s last three games.

Lewandowski, Yamal Fermin, Gundogan, Pedri Balde, Kounde, Araujo, and Cancelo ter Stegen are the players who were not able to play.

Different kinds of

Ferran Torres will definitely come off the bench at some point for Barcelona against Alaves even if he doesn’t start. Also, Raphinha is just as good, especially if Xavi and his friends need more attack power.

At some point in the second half, Oriol Romeu could take over for Ilkay Gundogan, and Inigo Martinez could do the same for Ronald Araujo, who had trouble staying healthy against Shakhtar.