Fermin, Vitor Roque start in a 4-3-3: How Barcelona could line up against Unionistas de Salamanca

FC Barcelona will be eager to leave behind the memories of the Spanish Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid and produce a strong performance when they face Unionistas de Salamanca in the Copa del Rey.

The 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Super Cup final has left a bad taste and it is now up to Xavi Hernandez & co. to rise above and put in a statement performance to secure a place in the quarter-finals of Copa del Rey.

Heading into the game, though, Xavi has some selection headaches, considering he has only 13 senior players available at his disposal due to injuries and suspensions.

Indeed, Ronald Araujo and Lamine Yamal are suspended for the match while Joao Cancelo, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, Gavi, Raphinha, and Marcos Alonso are out injured.

As such, the Barcelona manager has called up a number of young talents to the squad that will travel to face Unionistas later tonight. Ahead of the Copa del Rey Round of 16, here’s how Barça could line up against the RFEF Primera Division outfit.

Starters

In the absence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inaki Pena has become the undisputed starter in goal for Barcelona and will continue against Unionistas tonight.

With no Ronald Araujo and Joao Cancelo, Xavi is likely to hand teenage starlet Hector Fort his third start of the season at right-back. The lack of defensive options means Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Alejandro Balde will all start with no rotations taking place.

However, there are expected to be alterations in the centre of the park for Barcelona. For starters, the manager is expected to rest both Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan, with the former returning from an injury recently and the latter being used relentlessly.

That paves the way for Oriol Romeu to start as the defensive midfielder, a rare opportunity that he will want to make the most of. Meanwhile, Fermin Lopez should feature from the get-go as well, after impressing in the last cup tie against UD Barbastro.

Fermin Lopez in line to start tonight. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Frenkie de Jong ought to occupy the third midfield slot for Barcelona, ahead of captain Sergi Roberto. It will be the Dutchman’s 200th appearance and he could don the captain’s armband tonight as well.

Moving into the attacking unit, the absence of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha means both Ferran Torres and Joao Felix are likely to start on the flanks, with the latter hoping to work his way back into Xavi’s good books.

The Barça manager has four centre-forwards in the squad in the form of Robert Lewandowski, Vitor Roque, Marc Guiu, and Pau Victor. And, all signs point towards Roque making his first start for the Catalans, after not featuring in the last two matches in the Super Cup.

Substitutes

Sergi Roberto is one of the players expected to come on at some point during the game, to provide reprieve to one of the two full-backs.

Marc Guiu and Robert Lewandowski should also see some action from the bench for the Blaugrana while the services of Pedri could also be required if things are not going well.