Barcelona vs Athletic (4-0) Feb 27, 2022 Match Preview and Stats

Barcelona will attempt to continue their improved form when they tackle Athletic Club in La Liga on Sunday.

Xavi’s side turned in an impressive display on Thursday as they marched through in the Europa League thanks to a formidable 4-2 victory away against Napoli. Barca swept the Italian outfit away, scoring three times in the first half to secure a comfortable passage into the quarter-finals.

A strong squad was used in midweek, but changes should be forecast for this game. Some of these will be as a matter of squad management while there will be at least one switch by choice.

Jordi Alba drops out of the team because of a ban, freeing up the left-back area. Sergino Dest is the man likely to be deployed in that sector, with Dani Alves coming into the right-back role. The Brazilian is not eligible to play in European football for Barca, who instead opted to register Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Adama Traore.

There has been little movement on the injury front for Barca. They will continue to be without Samuel Umtiti, Alejandro Balde and Sergi Roberto in their defence, while from the attack Ansu Fati is out.

Doubts persist over Clement Lenglet and Memphis Depay, though the odds are against either of these players featuring.

The midfield may be untouched for this game, with Pedri, Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong retaining their spots, but in attack there could be one change.

Aubameyang and Adama could well be retained, though Ferran is set to be given a break on the bench, with Gavi the man set to step in.