**It’s time for a new La Liga match ! This Sunday, FC Barcelona will host Deportivo Alavés at the Montjuïc stadium for the 13th round of the 2023-2024 Spanish league championship. This is the last match before the international break that is expected in Catalonia, as a reaction is needed after the sad defeat conceded this week in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk (1-0).
Disappointing on the European stage, FC Barcelona has also not impressed in its last performances in La Liga. Victorious in the pain of Real Sociedad last weekend (0-1), the Catalan club had also previously lost to Real Madrid in the Clasico. Currently in a difficult situation but still in the title race (3rd, 27 points), the Blaugranas are therefore expected to turn things around this Sunday in order not to be left behind in the standings by Girona (1st, 34 points) and Real Madrid (2nd, 32 points), who won their respective matches yesterday.
On the other hand, Deportivo Alavés, back in the Spanish first division this season, is currently having a difficult but honorable season for a promoted team (14th, 12 points) and will try to create a sensation away from home.
For this new outing in La Liga, Xavi, deprived of several key players such as Frenkie de Jong, Gavi or Sergi Roberto, has decided to opt for a 4-3-3 tactical system. Without much surprise, Jules Koundé is lined up in central defense with Íñigo Martínez while João Cancelo and Ronald Araujo occupy the full-back positions. The midfield is composed of Pedri, Ilkay Gundogan and the young talent Fermín López. Finally, the attacking line will be composed of Robert Lewandowski, lined up up front and accompanied by João Félix and Lamine Yamal. On the visitors’ side, Luis García Plaza does not shake up his usual game plans and lines up a 4-2-3-1 tactical system, led by the strong men of his squad.
The lineups
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen – Araujo, Koundé, Martínez, Cancelo – Pedri, Gundogan, López – Félix, Lewandowski, Yamal.
Deportivo Alavés: Sivera – Gorosabel, Abqar, Rafa Marin, Duarte – A. Blanco, Guevara, Javi López – Guridi, Rioja, Samu.
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