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Dest might be fairly decent, but I've seen him for Barca and for the U.S. In crucial times big games, the opponents go after him, too often with success. So, Xavi is right, his tryout with Barca needs to end now. For backup RB, Roberto is the ultimate team player, Barca through and through...

Lot's of RB stats. For Dest, I think the most important stat concerns "offensive player beats Dest like he is a statue, leading to the game-losing goal". This is rather an important stat for RBs on teams that are trying to compete at the top level. Dest can't start for Barca. Must try...

By the time the regular season begins next month, Xavi will have this team ready to play.

Well, unretire Alves. He would start on this team.

At least this is an improved result vs. Rayo.

Unfortunately, on your list of starters for this Saturday, as of now Dembele, Christensen, Raphina and Lewandowski are not yet registered. One day left. La Liga needs to register them by close of business Friday, or they will not be eligible for this first game. Although the team says all...

Dest will win a few games in attack. He will lose more games on defense. He is not the answer as starter for this team. Alba would likely be better with fewer minutes. Alba with no LB backup (neither Dest nor Roberto are LBs), clearly not enough.

So far, this year's acquisitions make it look like a 3-4-3. No fullbacks have been acquired because they will play with no fullbacks. Might work, bound to be better defense that so much of last season.

Osasuna is a mediocre Liga team this year, so FC Barca is clearly the underdog in this away game. This is the type of matchup that will determine whether Barca can qualify for Europa League for 2022-23.

I hope this team can improve enough to go at least a few rounds in EL and Copa, give the kids some valuable experience. Not at all sure this will happen, without significant reinforcements in the winter transfer window.

Two mediocre teams, Barca barely managed to come out in front this time. This Barca team can lose to any opponent. It's not the manager, it's the players. They are pretty good in some respects, but all in all, well below CL level. Unlikely to be relegated, maybe the young players will even...

I predict 0 goals today from this 11.

Espa?ol is mid-table in La Liga, so Barca may simply be outclassed today.

Even if he is not yet a confident forward, that is his best position. I think his nerve, his shooting will improve. On this team, he deserves playing time up front, but should not be automatically in the first 11.

The only real problem with this player is his tendency to give up game-losing goals. Forwards just run around him, his speed and lateral lateral movement are not what you have to have in a top-flight CB. Too bad he is a centerback, otherwise this deficiency would not be that big a deal. He...

Braithwaite, who had been helpful this season. Can't see how Luuk and Demir will be any help at all. With all the youngsters playing these days, I can't tell yet which of them are just not ready yet, and which will never be good enough. I can't watch this team this season.

Agree, Luftstalag, for the team as of now. Maybe the team improve when those 4 forwards return?

It's good that neither Dest nor Lenglet are starting. Aside from the questions about the starting 11, it's sad to go into a game against Bayern with this type of bench.

You would think so, looking at the available squad. But if Koeman does not rate a player, he will not play. Not clear if Coutinho will ever again be on the field for Barca.

Not good that he can't make a 12 man bench, he's been training for weeks already. I'd like to hope he could make some contribution this season, don't know if that will happen.