Official: Barcelona XI to face UE Cornella — Puig gets first start of the season | OneFootball

Barcelona have announced the starting XI that will take on UE Cornella in the Copa del Rey Round of 32. The biggest news? Riqui Puig gets his first start of the season in the heart of the midfield. Alongside him, Ilaix Moriba and Miralem Pjanic round off the centre of the pitch.

Behind them, Oscar Mingueza covers for the injured Sergino Dest at right-back, while Junior Firpo starts on the opposite flank. Ronald Araujo and Clement Lenglet take their place in the heart of the defence, screening Neto in goal.

Antoine Griezmann has also been named in the lineup, probably in the hope to be the experienced head alongside youngsters. Fransisco Trincao starts at right-wing, while Martin Braithwaite will go through the centre as the striker.

Confirmed Barcelona XI: Neto; Mingueza, Araujo, Lenglet, Firpo; Ilaix, Pjanic, Puig; Trincao, Braithwaite, Griezmann

Giving Griezmann a start in a low-pressure game seems to be a risky move from Ronald Koeman. However, it looks like the World Cup winner will be subbed off in the second half once Barcelona gain control of the game, both on the pitch and the scoreboard. Huge game for Puig and Ilaix, though; the former gets his well-deserved first start of the season, while the latter gets a debut in the Garnet and Blue.