4 midfielders, Lamine & Iñigo in, Roque out – Xavi’s plan for Barcelona’s clash with Napoli | OneFootball

An insight into the line-up plans of Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández, for the club’s upcoming showdown with Italian champions Napoli, has been provided this afternoon.

The info comes courtesy of Diario AS, who point towards Barca’s boss as already having a clear idea in mind when it comes to his XI at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

First and foremost, the Blaugrana will set up with a four-man strong contingent in the middle of the park.

Joining the headline names of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and İlkay Gündoğan will be Andreas Christensen, expected to be pushed forward into a pivot role once more.

Elsewhere, the stellar recent form displayed by Lamine Yamal will see the youngster maintain his place in attack, ahead of Raphinha.

And joining him in leading Barca’s frontline will be veteran frontman Robert Lewandowski, fresh off four goals in his last three games.

On the other hand, Vitor Roque is set to drop out of the Catalans’ attacking setup, after failing to impress in his first start for the club against Celta Vigo over the weekend.

Pau Cubarsí, too, will be forced to make do with a spot on the bench, with Xavi favouring the experience of Iñigo Martinez to join Ronald Araújo at centre-back.

The full-back spots, meanwhile, are in line to be filled by João Cancelo and Jules Koundé, whilst the recently-returned Marc-André ter Stegen will maintain his place between the posts.

Conor Laird | GSFN