Barcelona have it all to do if they are to win the Copa del Rey as they face a 2-0 deficit heading into the second leg of their semi-final with Sevilla.
Goals from Jules Kounde and Ivan Rakitic have given Sevilla a two-goal cushion to protect ahead of the second leg, yet Barca beat them 2-0 in the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan at the weekend – a warning shot as to what Lionel Messi & Co. remain capable of.
Indeed, the outlook for Barca on the field continues to be an improving one. They have closed the gap to Atletico Madrid at the top of the Primera Division table to five points, and while they require a miracle to qualify in the Champions League after a 4-1 home loss to Paris Saint-Germain, the prospect of silverware is not as distant as it was just a week ago.
Barcelona have a limited number of injury issues ahead of the weekend.
It is expected that centre-back Ronald Araujo will be available to start this match in the heart of the defence. He may team up with Gerard Pique for the first time since 4th October.
Indeed, Koeman faces a key decision as to whether he deploys three at the back, as he did at the weekend.
Meanwhile, the midfield will be without Pedri, who will be sidelined for two to three weeks with a muscular injury in his left leg. Miralem Pjanic, meanwhile, has an ankle issue.
Lacking senior players to fill these roles, Barcelona may to ask Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong to start once more, while Riqui Puig could be given the nod to play alongside them. Ilaix Moriba was preferred to him off the bench on Sunday, though, so should be seen as a legitimate option.
The front three is unlikely to be touched, with Lionel Messi flanked by Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann.
