Barcelona will play their first official home game of the 2023/24 season on Sunday when they host Cadiz in Matchweek 2 of La Liga.

The reigning champions of Spain made a disappointing start to the new campaign, being held to a goalless draw by Getafe in a game that was mired in controversy.

As such, manager Xavi Hernandez and his brigade will be eager to notch up their first victory of the new season and get their campaign on track.

Barcelona, however, will have to make do without two of their key players on Sunday. Raphinha will be serving the first of his two-match suspension after being sent off against Getafe, while Ronald Araujo is unavailable due to a thigh injury.

New signing Inigo Martinez is still not fully fit enough to make his debut, while Inaki Pena and Marcos Alonso are likely to miss out as well as they have not been registered yet.

Meanwhile, Xavi himself will not be in the dugout as he too is serving a two-match ban after seeing red in the opening match. Here’s how the Barcelona manager could set his team up for their first game at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic.

Starters

There is no looking past Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has reportedly agreed a new long-term contract with Barcelona, in goal.

There will, however, be changes in the defensive unit due to Ronald Araujo’s injury. While Sergi Roberto is an option, Xavi could look to push Jules Kounde to the right-back position against Cadiz, making room for Eric Garcia to slot in at the heart of the defence.

Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde will make up the backline for the reigning La Liga champions.

Xavi is likely to continue four central midfielders in a 4-3-3 setup which turns into a 3-2-4-1 in attacking phases. Despite there being speculations that last year’s Golden Boy award winner Gavi could start, the manager is unlikely to tinker with the quartet that started last week.

As such, new signing Oriol Romeu will once again occupy the pivot position while Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan start as the two interior midfielders. Pedri will slot in as the false-winger on the left, constantly drifting in to leave space for Balde to romp forward.

The right flank poses a selection headache for Xavi due to Raphinha’s absence. Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal have shown great form in pre-season while Ansu Fati is also a contender.

However, Ez Abde is likely to get the nod as he would be closest to Raphinha in terms of the profile that Xavi seeks in his winger. Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the attack as always for Barça.

Barcelona Predicted XI: Ter Stegen, Kounde, Christensen, Garcia, Balde, de Jong, Romeu, Gundogan, Abde, Lewandowski, Pedri.

Substitutes

Gavi is certain to be involved off the bench as Xavi will look for his energy and tenacity in the second half. Lamine Yamal also warrants minutes after his recent showings.

The same holds for Ferran Torres as well especially after he did not play a single minute against Getafe. Ansu Fati would also be an option for the manager while Sergi Roberto could come off the bench.