"Gerard Martín has been training with us for the two weeks of the break and we wanted to give him a try. Plus, Araujo was coming off a very long trip."
"He's a very important player for us. He showed us that last season, but we have to manage him carefully. Perhaps he'll be able to play 10 or 15 minutes."
"Athletic is a very good team, with exceptional players. We must play at the highest possible level. We want to win our first match at the Camp Nou. That's what we want."
Gerard Martín starts and partners Pau Cubarsí in central defence, with Eric García deployed in midfield. Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Marcus Rashford are unavailable due to injury and suspension. Ronald Araujo did not start after a long international trip following Uruguay duty. Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres lead the attack, while Raphinha returns from injury and is named on the bench with a likely 10–15 minute role. Athletic Club is regarded as a very good side with exceptional players, and the team aims to win the first match at the Camp Nou.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]