{"id":1566,"date":"2026-09-06T07:49:49","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T07:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=1566"},"modified":"2026-09-06T07:49:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T07:49:49","slug":"rodri-and-cancelo-in-a-4-2-3-1-how-barcelona-can-line-up-against-valencia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=1566","title":{"rendered":"Rodri and Cancelo in a 4-2-3-1: How Barcelona can line up against Valencia"},"content":{"rendered":"


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FC Barcelona<\/a> will have an excellent opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the league table as they take on Valencia at the Mestalla this afternoon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Catalans have started the season with three back to back victories in La Liga<\/a>, but the team\u2019s resistance will be tested as the schedule starts to heat up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barcelona, after all, have a midweek UCL encounter against Feyenoord to worry about, which could pave the way for Hansi Flick to ring in the changes this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Flick\u2019s men did concede a few goals in their last game against Rayo Vallecano, so the German could be fancied to make a few defensive changes, in particular.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Meanwhile, star player Lamine Yamal<\/a> is a key doubt heading into this fixture, having picked up a knock and subsequently missed training yesterday. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ahead of kickoff later this afternoon, here is how the La Liga title holders could take the field in their much awaited contest against Valencia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Defence<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Cancelo could be set for a start vs Valencia. (Photo by Eric Alonso\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Defence is the area that could witness the most number of changes by Flick this weekend, as he looks to keep his troops fresh for the Feyenoord clash.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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While Joan Garcia<\/strong> continues to keep in goal, Flick might bring in Eric Garcia<\/strong> in the right-back position, at the expense of Jules Kounde.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The German might also want to give an opportunity to Gerard Martin<\/strong>, even after Andreas Christensen\u2019s impressive start to the new season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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That means Martin may partner Pau Cubarsi<\/strong> in central defence. But there could one more change as well, with Joao Cancelo<\/strong> finally getting a start at left-back, ahead of Xavi Espart.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Espart has been phenomenal so far, racking up assists while linking up on the far side. Cancelo, therefore, must impress if he is to be considered for a starting role in the coming matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Midfield<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Despite the addition of Rodri<\/a> in the summer, Hansi Flick has largely played it safe with the Spanish international by only using him as a substitute.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Flick has so far opted for the double-pivot of Pedri and Marc Bernal. But this time around, Rodri<\/strong> could finally receive his first official start for Barcelona.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Spaniard could appear alongside his compatriot Pedri<\/strong>, with Bernal serving as backup. Barcelona are still without Frenkie de Jong, who is expected to come back sometime in October<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Rodri-Pedri midfield could be starting for Barcelona vs Valencia. (Photo by David Ramos\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barcelona\u2019s fluid 4-3-3, which turns into a 4-2-3-1, has space for one more midfielder and that is likely going to be Fermin Lopez<\/strong>, considering that Dani Olmo had already started in the last game. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Attack<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Moving forward, there is much doubt surrounding the participation of Lamine Yamal, who might not end up starting the game this afternoon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If Yamal misses out on a starting place, the onus will likely fall on Karim Adeyemi<\/strong> to offer the pace and the flair on the far side.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The combination of two new signings, Anthony Gordon<\/strong> and Adeyemi, will look to provide support for main frontman, Raphinha<\/strong>, who has been scoring goals for fun so far this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barcelona, meanwhile, have another option this afternoon in the form of Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has been named in the squad<\/a> and he could make his Barcelona debut as a substitute later in the game. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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