FC Barcelona must close 2023 in style. After two matches without a victory in the league, Barça, tied for fourth with Atlético de Madrid, welcomes Almeria for the 18th day of La Liga and must return to victory to avoid leaving Girona and Real Madrid, the first two, taking too much lead since they are, before this day, respectively nine and seven points ahead of the Blaugranas. Opposite, Almeria are last with five small units and are the only team in the Spanish elite not to have won a single match this season. The meeting can be followed live with commentary on French Football Weekly from 7 p.m.
For this match, Xavi is without Ter Stegen, Gavi, Pedri and Marcos Alonso, all injured, as well as Jong, suspended. The Spanish technician therefore aligns a 4-3-3 with Pena in goals, Araujo alongside Christensen in central defense, Cancelo and Baldé in full-backs, Sergi Roberto, Gündogan and Fermin for the trio in midfield and, finally, Raphinha and Félix on the wings to accompany Lewandowski, alone at the forefront. French defender Koundé therefore starts on the bench. Opposite, Gaizka Garitano is deprived of Koné, Melero, Milovanovic, Pubill, Robertone, Suarez and Svidersky. The Andalusian coach then aligns a 5-4-1 with Maximiano in the cages, Pozo, Chumi, Gonzalez, Montes and Akieme for the rearguard, Arribas, Lopy, Baba Mohamed and Ramazani in the middle and Leo Baptistao, alone on the front of the attack.
Team compositions:
FC Barcelona : Pena – Cancelo, Araujo, Christensen, Baldé – S.Roberto, Gündogan, Fermin – Raphinha, Lewandowski, F.Torres.
Almeria: Maximiano – Pozo, Chumi, Gonzalez, Montes, Akieme – Arribas, Lopy, Baba Mohamed, Ramazani – Leo Baptistao
