Barcelona don enta one kain imperious form as dem start their second-consecutive La Liga title defense, but Wednesday night one interesting test dey wait for dem against Racing Santander.
Last season Segunda champions don earn plenty respect among soccer hipsters because of their unique tactical approach. As manager José Alberto talk am, the style ‘focuses more on the interactions between players than on fixed positions.’
Racing ‘relationism’ fire dem back to La Liga for first time since 2010–11, and so far dem hold their own in top flight. Racing dey 10th after five games and now dem dey prepare for their sternest test yet.
E don reach 15 years since dem last face Barcelona for this competition, though the Blaugrana record 2–0 win against Alberto side for Copa del Rey at start of year.
Hansi Flick team perfect through six games across all competitions, scoring at unrelenting rate. Real Madrid fit offer stiffer challenge than last season, but Barca current mood seem impossible to shake.
Barcelona dey lead La Liga top with 100% record, meaning dem get three-point advantage over José Mourinho Madrid, who Real Betis beat on Matchday 4. Flick side don dey irresistible at start of new season, and dem target more than mere domestic conquest this term. Dem get roster to compete on multiple fronts.
Nobody for Spain, not even Madrid, seem capable to resist the Blaugrana, but Racing idiosyncrasies and cohesion with which dem perform fit make am thrilling midweek La Liga bout. Prediction: Barcelona 4–2 Racing Santander.
Barcelona no dey believed to dey head into Wednesday clash with any fresh injury concerns, but Flick suppose tinker with him roster after chaotic victory at Levante. Barca cornerstones suppose remain for starting lineup, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in stellar form. Fermín López also productive at start of new season, but Flick get Dani Olmo to call upon in reserve. Jules Koundé fit return to lineup at rightback, while Andreas Christensen replace Gerard Martín at half-time on Sunday and fit partner Pau Cubarsí against Racing. Karim Adeyemi also dey look to make him first La Liga start since Barca 5–0 victory over Elche for opening game of season. The German score wonderfully off bench last time out, as Barca resist late Levante surge.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Rayo Vallecano (4-2-3-1): J. García; Kounde, Cubarsí, Christensen, Espart; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Adeyemi; Raphinha.
The visitors no get loanee André Almeida after he receive red card late on in 2–1 victory over Alavés at weekend. Almeida feature off bench last time out, so Alberto no need to change him midfield configuration for Catalonia.
Sergio Canales na creative heartbeat of Racing, returning to club in summer after coming through academy and enjoying successful La Liga career with likes of Real Sociedad and Real Betis. Yassir Zabiri don score hat-trick and brace at start of new season, having join from Rennes on loan. He go lead Racing attack on Wednesday, and aim to exploit Barcelona notoriously-aggressive defensive line. Andrés Martín and Simon Eriksson miss out for visitors through injury.
Racing Santander Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Agirrezabala; Mantilla, Ramón, Belocian, Salinas; Martín, Prati; García, Canales, Vicente, Zabiri.
