Spanish La Liga 2023/2024 Barcelona Vs Athletic Bilbao: Rotation Without Lewandowski

Barcelona celebrates Lamine Yamal's (left) goal. Yamal, who has recovered from injury, is back playing against Athletic Bilbao. (Photo: fcbarcelona.com)

JAKARTA - Barcelona still have not been strengthened by striker Robert Lewandowski when they hosted Athletic Bilbao in the La Liga Spain match at the Olimpic Lluis Companys Stadium, Monday, October 23 in the morning WIB. Coach Xavi Hernandez also rotated players in the front sector without Lewandowski.

The rotation of players in the midst of a tough match schedule in the next week is Xavi's move.

After battling Athletic, Barca met Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, Wednesday, October 25 evening WIB. The peak of the el clasico duel by hosting Real Madrid's arch rivals, Saturday, October 28 evening WIB. Xavi had to rotate the players due to the loss of part of the team's pillars. Not only Lewandowski but also Pedri, Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde are still injured.

They will miss Barca for Athletic. However, the four of them were confirmed to be fit at el clasico.

Luckily, the two pillars of Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde have recovered so that they can appear in this match. Due to injury, both of them missed the Spanish national team in the Euro 2024 qualifying match. Even Barca had to submit medical evidence if Yamal was indeed injured and had to undergo recovery.

In addition, Ronald Araujo and Ilkay Gundogan have returned to join the team. Even though they did not attend training because they needed rest after playing for the national team, Xavi made sure they could appear against Bilbao.

"The four of them are 100% able to appear in Sunday's match. Lamine and Alejandro have recovered. Ronald and Gundogan just need to rest," said Xavi.

Yamal's return made Xavi able to rotate in the front sector. Moreover, Raphinha also cannot be played. The Ferran Torres trident, which was supported by Yamal and Joao Felix, will again be the first choice as when facing Granada.

In the match against Granada, Yamal contributed one goal that saved Barca, which was previously 2-0 behind and then ended with a score of 2-2. The result was Barca's third draw from nine matches in domestic competitions.

While the other six were won by the Blaugrana so they were perched in third place with 21 points. Barca are still three points behind Madrid who are at the top of the standings.

In the match against Athletic, even without Lewandowski, Barca was still the seed. They have a good trend and have never lost at home against Athletic since August 2019.

However, Athletic is still not an easy opponent for Barca. Their success was ranked fifth with 17 points showing that Athletic cannot be underestimated.

Moreover, Prince Valverde's away record is quite convincing. They were able to get seven points from four away matches. This is what makes the Lions confident in looking at the game at Barca's home.

In this match, Athletic lost winger Nico Williams who was Barca's target. Williams was absent due to a back injury.

He was taken over by Iker Muniain who supported the Gorka Guruzeta forward center with Inaki Williams and Oihan Sancet. Meanwhile, the duo of the pivotal midfielder is filled by Dani Garcia and Ander Herrera.

Behind defender Aitor Paredes built a bulwark and escorted Spanish national team goalkeeper Unai Simon. Barca's sufficient complete strength is indeed a threat to Barca if not alert.

Barcelona Lineup Forecast (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Christensen, Araujo, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi; Yamal, F Torres, Felix

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Simon; De Marcos, Paredes, Vivian, Berchiche; Herrera, D Garcia; I Williams, Sancet, Muniain; Guruzeta