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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’s Danish forward Martin Braithwaite celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Spanish League football match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 15, 2021. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona’s Danish forward Martin Braithwaite celebrates after scoring his second goal during the Spanish League football match between Barcelona and Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 15, 2021. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images) /

Forwards

Braithwaite had a standout performance in the first match, scoring twice and providing an assist. His future at the club was in doubt heading into the season but it now appears like he is set to stay.

Koeman said he believes the Danish striker deserves to stay unless an offer too good to refuse is presented to Barcelona. Given the injury to Sergio Agüero, Braithwaite should feature heavily and the club should ride this wave for as long as they can.

Memphis Depay also had a solid debut as a Barcelona player. The Dutch forward delivered the cross that led to the Pique header. He also had a hand to play in the team’s third goal where he linked up with Alba.

Memphis is being looked at as the player who can ease the pain of losing Messi. It’s still too early to tell but he does seem to be over the pressure of being at a big club. He did not have the best of times at Manchester United but, at least in his first game, he’s overcome those jitters. It also helps that he has Koeman in his corner.

Perhaps invisible on the score sheet, Antoine Griezmann had a decent performance last time out. He helped track back and sacrificed to help out the defense. While his offensive output still needs some work, he was involved in Barcelona’s fourth goal, his effort is unquestioned.

Next. Martin Ødegaard to join Arsenal from Real Madrid. dark

He developed a good understanding with Memphis during preseason. Now it’s a matter of showing that in the games that really matter. The Frenchman is going to have to be one of the players to step up in the absence of Messi.

Predicted Starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Neto
Right-back: Sergiño Dest
Center-back: Eric Garcia
Center-back: Gerard Piqué
Left-back: Jordi Alba
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong
Midfielder: Sergio Busquets
Midfielder: Pedri
Forward: Antoine Griezmann
Striker: Martin Braithwaite
Forward: Memphis Depay

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