FC Barcelona vs Levante preview: Team news and lineup

Barcelona’s choppy start to the season has been difficult to watch.

Unable to buy a goal with their manager on the verge of being sacked, the Blaugrana are plagued by injuries and also – in today’s case – suspensions.

Due to the red cards they received in the 0-0 draw against Cadiz on Thursday night, the Dutch duo Frenkie de Jong and his coach Ronald Koeman will not be able to appear on the field or bark the orders of the canoe respectively.

“I have to learn from the expulsion,” Koeman admitted at his pre-match press conference.

“I need to calm down. But I’m only human and there are times during games when it’s hard to come to terms with decisions.”

But hope for what could have happened in the scripted return of Ansu Fati, who, after 10 months on the sidelines with a severe knee blow, is expected to make an appearance near the end of a major clash against Levante at the Camp. New Sunday.

“Getting Ansu Fati back is very important,” Koeman said.

“We have a plan in place for his gradual reintroduction. He is on the squad and will play for a maximum of 15 minutes. It is very important not to rush things too much… He will not be back at his best in only two games. or two weeks. “

With Real Madrid drawing and holding reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid already losing this weekend, Barca have the chance to gain ground over the capital’s title challengers with a victory,

If they manage to overtake the visitors, who have yet to claim a victory themselves this season, the Catalans would climb to fifth place with a game overdue due to a trip to Sevilla that was called off due to complications from the last international break for South American players.

Even though he will have to watch from the stands, Koeman can of course still pick his first XI.

In it, Marc-André ter Stegen is expected to start in goal with Sergino Dest passing to left-back, Gerard Pique and Ronaldo Araujo forming a central defensive partnership and Oscar Mingueza to right-back.

In a 4-4-2, Sergio Busquets will provide pivotal support to a trio of Sergi Roberto, Philippe Coutinho and Gavi while Luuk de Jong and Memphis Depay will once again attempt to throw in some sort of goal chemistry.