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How will Barcelona line-up against Athletic Bilbao?

By Ernesto Hernandez

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 15: Memphis Depay of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou on August 15, 2021 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 15: Memphis Depay of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou on August 15, 2021 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 15: (L-R) Cristian Portu of Real Sociedad, Pedri of FC Barcelona, Eric Garcia of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou on August 15, 2021 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 15: (L-R) Cristian Portu of Real Sociedad, Pedri of FC Barcelona, Eric Garcia of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou on August 15, 2021 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Midfield

Similar to the defense, unless there is an unexpected injury, the Catalan midfield will be the same. The only real concern is the workload on Pedri. The 18-year old has not had a break since last season. He featured heavily for Spain in both Euro 2020 and the Olympics in Tokyo.

Fortunately for Pedri, during his pre-match press conference, Koeman revealed that the midfielder is set for a break following the Bilbao game. The club is hoping Luis Enrique will not call him up for Spain’s qualifiers during the international break.

Aside from that, expect Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong to round up the midfield. Busquets has proven time and time again how instrumental he is on the pitch with his understanding of the game and positioning.

De Jong was a doubt for the Real Sociedad game but managed to play and deliver an assist to Martin Braithwaite for the second goal.

He’s a player Koeman trusts completely and who has quickly transformed himself as indispensable.

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