FC Barcelona are LaLiga leaders with a four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid. They want to maintain this lead on their return to domestic competition after experiencing a perfect Champions League night at Montjuic against Borussia Dortmund. Maintaining their unbeaten run and their lead on the way to the title means beating Leganés at Butarque.
Barça return to LaLiga, where they are the only team who depend on themselves to win the title, after beating the Bavarian side with a hefty 4-0 scoreline with goals from their lethal trident, the LRL, made up of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski who scored twice.
In the league, Barça come into this match after a draw against Real Betis on Saturday at the same venue, the Lluis Companys. The match against the green and white team was the fourth match for the azulgrana team in just 10 days.
On the other side of the coin is Leganés. The Madrid team scraped a point in the last game against Osasuna, but they are not going through their best moment. They had just lost three consecutive games and are still in the relegation zone. Borja Jiménez’s team is two points from safety and needs points to get out of the red zone.
Flick will rotate
Five players are expected to start. They are goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, full-back Jules Koundé, defender Iñigo Martínez, Eric García, and Pedri in midfield and winger Lamine Yamal. The rest of the positions have several options to take the field at Butarque. Dani Olmo is also expected to be back in the squad, although it is not clear whether he will get any playing time.
The only confirmed absences are Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal, which does not prevent the coach from having an arsenal of players in top form for this clash at Butarque.
Possible Barça XI
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
Defenders: Gerard Martín, Iñigo Martínez, Araujo, Jules Koundé
Midfielders: Eric García, Gavi and Pedri
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Ferran Torres
Leganés looking to spring a surprise
The team managed by Borja Jiménez has Óscar Rodríguez back after he served a one-match ban for an accumulation of cards. However, in the medical department, Borna Barisic and Enric Franquesa are the only confirmed absences.
Possible Leganés starting XI
Goalkeeper: Dmitrovic
Defense: Rosier, Sergio González, Tapia, Nastasic, Javi Hernández
Midfield: Neyou, Dani Raba, Cissé
Forwards: Juan Cruz and Diego García