FC Barcelona announce squad for La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao

Get ready for the next Barcelona match! The Blaugrana are returning from the international break and they have a crucial La Liga game at home against the high-flying Athletic Bilbao. Xavi Hernández has announced the 19 players who will be called up for Sunday’s clash:

Goalkeepers: 1. Marc-André ter Stegen, 13. Iñaki Peña, 26. Ander Astralaga

Defenders: 2. João Cancelo, 3. Alejandro Balde, 4. Ronald Araujo, 5. Iñigo Martínez, 15. Andreas Christensen, 17. Marcos Alonso, 39. Héctor Fort

Midfielders: 6. Gavi, 18. Oriol Romeu, 22. Ilkay Gündogan, 32. Fermín López, 35. Unai Hernández

Forwards: 7. Ferran Torres, 14. João Félix, 27. Lamine Yamal, 38. Marc Guiu

Xavi is facing a major injury crisis as his team prepares for one of the most important weeks of the season. Unfortunately, six key players will be absent due to injury: Robert Lewandowski (ankle), Frenkie de Jong (ankle), Jules Kounde (knee), Pedri (thigh), Raphinha (hamstring), and Sergi Roberto (calf). To make up for their absence, Xavi has called up some talented academy youngsters to join the bench, including Unai Hernández, Héctor Fort, and Marc Guiu.

Predicted starting XI (4-3-3):

Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Christensen, Iñigo, Alonso; Fermín, Romeu, Gavi; Yamal, Ferran, Félix

The match will kick off at 9pm CET in Barcelona, 8pm BST in the UK and Nigeria, 3pm ET and 12pm PT in the USA, and 12.30am IST in India. Join us as we follow and comment on all the action!

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