De Jong, Balde start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona can line up against Alaves | OneFootball

Newly-crowned La Liga champions FC Barcelona are in action tonight as they take on relegation-battling Deportivo Alaves away at the Mendizorrotza Stadium.

While the title was wrapped up last weekend after they beat Real Madrid 2-0 at the Spotify Camp Nou, the Blaugrana are now aiming to reach the 100-point mark in the league.

In order to achieve that, Hansi Flick & co. will need to win each of their three remaining matches, starting tonight against Alaves.

Barcelona go into the match without any fresh injury concerns, with Lamine Yamal and Andreas Christensen expected to be the only absentees.

Meanwhile, key winger Raphinha will miss the match due to an accumulation of cards, having received his fifth yellow card of the La Liga campaign in the Clasico.

There will likely be some rotations made by Flick so that the players who have featured less in recent weeks get an opportunity. With that in mind, here is how Flick could set his Barcelona team up against Alaves in Vitoria.

Defence

There has been speculation about the goalkeeping spot and whether Flick will continue with Joan Garcia, with the Zamora Trophy at stake, or replace him with veteran shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny.

However, during his press conference, the manager dropped a strong hint that Garcia will likely continue to man the goal.

As for the defensive line, wholesale changes are likely, with Jules Kounde set to come in at right-back after being benched for the Clasico.

Alejandro Balde to start at left-back? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Alejandro Balde, who has fallen behind Joao Cancelo in the pecking order, could get a rare starting opportunity at left-back. Captain Ronald Araujo ought to come in as one of the centre-backs, pairing up with Eric Garcia.

Midfield

Frenkie de Jong could finally make his return to the starting XI, having had to bide his time since returning from his injury.

The Dutch international ought to take one of the two pivot positions on the field for the Blaugrana, where he will be partnered with midfield maestro Pedri. It would leave Gavi without a spot in the centre of the park.

Meanwhile, Dani Olmo, who has been a regular starter in recent games in the No. 10 slot, could be given a breather, with Fermin Lopez taking up a more central role tonight against Alaves.

Attack

With Fermin Lopez moving centrally, Gavi could find himself stationed out on the left flank to operate as a false-winger in Hansi Flick’s setup against the relegation battlers.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, who scored a brilliant goal against Real Madrid over the weekend, ought to get the nod on the right flank once again, as he hopes to convince Barcelona to sign him permanently.

It would mean no start for Roony Bardghji, who has been left out of the Sweden squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ferran Torres, who is enjoying a strong end to the campaign, should start in the centre-forward position as he is in the race for the Zarra Trophy, given to the Spanish player with the most goals scored in a La Liga season.