FC Barcelona - Alavés: Confirmed Lineups - LaLiga 24/25

OFFICIAL: The starting lineups of FC Barcelona under Hansi Flick and Alavés under Eduardo Coudet for the match of matchday 22 of LaLiga 2024/25 is now confirmed.

Hansi Flick has decided to go all out in what has unexpectedly turned into a real final. Pau Cubarsí and Marc Casadó return to the starting XI after resting against Atalanta, taking the places of Eric García and Frenkie de Jong, respectively. The rest of the lineup will consist of the 'untouchables' of the German coach, who will field his best eleven on the pitch of Montjuïc.

FC Barcelona Lineup

• Starting XI: Szczesny (GK); Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Araujo, Balde; Casadó, Pedri, Gavi; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski.
• Bench: Iñaki Peña (GK); Íñigo Martínez; Ferran Torres; Ansu Fati; Pablo Torre; Fermín López; Pau Víctor; Frenkie De Jong; Eric García; Kochen (GK); Héctor Fort; Gerard Martín.
• Injured: Ter Stegen; Marc Bernal; Andreas Christensen; Dani Olmo.
• Suspended: None.

Significant changes in the eleven that played against Atalanta on matchday 8 of the Champions League:

1. In the center of defense, Pau Cubarsí replaces Eric García
2. Marc Casadó returns to the midfield in place of Frenkie de Jong

The Barça is facing a golden opportunity to get back into LaLiga  thanks to the slip-up of Real Madrid against Espanyol (1-0). With this result, the whites remain leaders with 49 points, but see the competition tightening, as Atlético de Madrid, with their victory over Mallorca (2-0), is just one point behind, while the culés could close the gap to only four points  if they defeat Alavés. Additionally, with the Madrid derby on the horizon, the three points are crucial for the Catalans.

For that reason, Flick has left no room for doubt and has put 'all the meat on the grill'. Szczesny, confirmed as the owner of the blue and claret goal, will remain between the posts, accompanied by what is expected to be the defensive quartet of the team for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Casadó returns to the midfield alongside Pedri and Gavi and the culé hopes rest on the feet of the continent's most lethal attacking trio. Injured are Ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Dani Olmo  and Marc Bernal.

Alavés Lineup

• Starting XI: Owono; Tenaglia, Mouriño, Diarra, Manu Sánchez; Guevara, Antonio Blanco; Carlos Vicente, Guridi, Conechny; Kike García. 
• Bench: Adrián Rodríguez, Sedlar, Pica, Facu Garcés, Hugo Novoa, Protesoni, Pau Cabanes, Carlos Martín, Toni Martínez y Villalibre.