Barcelona, Spain – FC Barcelona dey prepare to face city rival Espanyol on Thursday night as dem dey look to clinch the La Liga title. After a hard-fought victory against Real Madrid di weekend wey increase dem lead to seven points at the top, La Blaugrana dey set for another fierce competition in dis Catalan derby.
Head coach Hansi Flick don already bagged di Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey in im debut season, and di pressure don dey build for dis domestic treble. Despite di fatigue from di previous match, observers expect a strong lineup from Barcelona as dem sabi say even one half-strength team fit still defeat Espanyol.
During di weekend encounter, Raphinha shine with two goals, showing im form as di squad dey push for di league title. Barcelona don rely on im goals, plus di creativity from midfield, as dem dey prepare for dis crucial game.
In goal, Wojciech Szczęsny go start, though im record for give away penalties don raise concern. Eric García go fill in for di injured Jules Koundé at right back, while Ronald Araújo don return from suspension to partner with Pau Cubarsí in defense.
Alejandro Balde dey set to reclaim im starting position after returning from injury, while Frenkie de Jong and Pedri will provide strength in midfield. Di dangerous wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha go flank Dani Olmo in attack, with Ferran Torres expected to lead di line as Robert Lewandowski still dey recover from injury.
Barcelona squad list for di match include goalkeepers Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñaki Peña, and Wojciech Szczęsny; defenders such as Pau Cubarsí, Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Eric García, and Gerard Martín; midfielders Gavi, Pedri, Pablo Torre, Fermín López, Marc Casadó, Dani Olmo, and Frenkie de Jong; forwards Robert Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Pau Víctor, and Lamine Yamal.
Injuries and suspensions don affect di team heavily. Iñigo Martínez go miss di match due to accumulation of yellow cards, while Jules Koundé and Marc Bernal dey sidelined. Ferran Torres don undergo emergency appendicitis surgery and he go miss di rest of di season. But di return of Pablo Torre from injury plus other recovered players give fans hope for a strong performance.
As fans dey count down to di match, Barcelona don state di kick-off time as 9:30 PM CET, 8:30 PM BST/WAT, 3:30 PM ET, and di excitement don dey build for wat fit be di game wey crown dem La Liga champions.
“VISCA EL BARÇA!”
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