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Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 15
Dec 31, 2022 at 1pm UK
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Espanyol logo

Barcelona
1 - 1
Espanyol

Alonso (7')
Fati (25'), Gavi (30'), Alba (74'), Torres (75'), Pedri (76'), Xavi (90+7'), Raphinha (90+5'), Tenas (90+7')
Alba (78')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Joselu (73' pen.)
Olivan (30'), Cabrera (31'), Calero (55'), Souza (73'), Exposito (74'), Joselu (81'), Puado (90+6')

Barcelona handed triple injury boost for Espanyol clash

Barcelona handed triple injury boost for Espanyol clash
© Reuters
Barcelona boss Xavi names a full squad for Saturday's Catalan derby with Espanyol, including Robert Lewandowski, Sergi Roberto, Franck Kessie and Ronald Araujo.

Barcelona boss Xavi has been able to name a full squad for Saturday's Catalan derby with Espanyol.

The La Liga leaders were expected to be without the services of leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski, who was handed a three-game suspension following his red card against Osasuna last time out.

However, Barcelona have been successful in placing a temporary hold on the ban, which will allow the Poland international to take to the field in the Barcelona derby on Saturday.

The Catalan side have also been able to recover Ronald Araujo, Franck Kessie and Sergi Roberto, who were all absent before the break for the World Cup.

Memphis Depay is also back in the squad, with the attacker featuring for the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup.

Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto on October 23, 2022© Reuters

Araujo travelled with the Uruguay squad for the World Cup despite not featuring for Barcelona since the middle of September, having undergone a thigh operation at the end of September.

The 23-year-old has now been cleared to make just his eighth appearance of the campaign, with the defender named in the squad for the clash with Espanyol.

Kessie, meanwhile, picked up a muscular problem during the Champions League clash with Viktoria Plzen art the start of November, but he is fit enough to return to the squad.

Barcelona have also been boosted by the return of Roberto, who had been on the sidelines since suffering a shoulder injury against Athletic Bilbao towards the end of October.

Franck Kessie celebrates scoring for Barcelona on September 7, 2022© Reuters

"When he was there with the Uruguayan national team, we talked and had communication with the coach," said Xavi during his pre-match press conference when asked about Araujo.

"In the end, the player's feelings decide, he has told us that he is very well, we have to slow him down a bit and we will be cautious. In principle, he won't start, but he could have minutes."

There had also been some doubt over Eric Garcia's fitness, with the defender picking up a small issue in training, but Xavi has said that the Spain international should be fit to feature.

"He has felt some discomfort. We'll see if he can play tomorrow, but I don't think his injury is serious. We are still counting on him for tomorrow's game," added the head coach.

Meanwhile, Xavi said that "we will see the workload and manage the minutes" when asked about Jules Kounde and Ousmane Dembele, who played in the World Cup final for France.

Barcelona squad vs. Espanyol:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Bellerin, Araujo, Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Pedri, Kessie, Roberto, F de Jong, Gavi, Torre; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Memphis, Raphinha

ID:503076:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4720:No Data Analysis info

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How you voted: Barcelona vs Espanyol

Barcelona
87.6%
Draw
5.4%
Espanyol
7.0%
129
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Robert Lewandowski in action for Barcelona on September 17, 2022
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid34276174225287
2GironaGirona34235673423174
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico34214963392467
5Athletic Bilbao341710755332261
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia34138133739-247
9Villarreal34129135658-245
10Getafe341013114147-643
11AlavesAlaves34118153238-641
12Sevilla341011134546-141
13Osasuna34116173751-1439
14Las PalmasLas Palmas34107173043-1337
15Celta Vigo34810164052-1234
16Rayo Vallecano34713142743-1634
17Mallorca34614142740-1332
18CadizCadiz34414162349-2626
19Granada3449213664-2821
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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