Barcelona predicted lineup vs Valencia - La Liga

Xavi takes charge of his first game since it was revealed that, after all, he will remain as Barcelona's head coach beyond the 2023/24 season.

Xavi's initial decision to step down prompted an impressive unbeaten run which just about brought them back into title contention, but any hope of retaining their crown was dashed in a controversial Clasico defeat last weekend.

Their Champions League collapse just days prior means Barca's season is over. There will be no silverware in Catalonia this term.

Xavi will merely be looking towards 2024/25 and Barca's remaining games could shape his plans for next season. La Blaugrana are in action against Valencia on Monday night and here's the team Xavi could pick for the La Liga fixture.

GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen - Ter Stegen may no longer be the goalkeeper he once was, but he's set to stick around for a little while in Catalonia. His status as Barca's number one is not yet under threat.

RB: Jules Kounde - Having once detested the right-back position, Kounde has generally performed brilliantly in the role in 2024.

CB: Ronald Araujo - One of multiple Barca skippers, the physically dominant Araujo is a cornerstone piece the club will continue to build around.

CB: Pau Cubarsi - Speaking of cornerstones, the unflappable Cubarsi has enjoyed a remarkable start to his senior career. He should see the season out alongside Araujo at centre-back.

LB: Hector Fort - Joao Cancelo endured a nightmare week and Xavi may reconsider his left-back options. Young Fort is more likely to be preferred over veteran Marcos Alonso.

DM: Andreas Christensen - The Dane can't stop scoring. With Frenkie de Jong out, Christensen will assume the holding function in Barca's midfield.

CM: Pedri - Pedri has been carefully managed since returning from injury, only appearing off the bench in El Clasico. He should be ready for a start on Monday night.

CM: Ilkay Gundogan - After enjoying a trophy-laden final season in Manchester, Barca's absence of brass this season will doubtlessly hurt Gundogan, who's been excellent in year one.

RW: Lamine Yamal - The teenager was at the centre of the controversy last weekend when his effort was deemed by VAR, perhaps erroneously, not to have crossed the line. Yamal continues to shine and while Xavi won't want to burn him out, he's just so hard to drop.

ST: Robert Lewandowski - The goals have dried up for Lewandowski again after he entered the March international break in fine form. He'll be looking to end the season strong with his future in doubt.

LW: Raphinha - The Brazilian has found a new lease of life on the left flank and Xavi is likely to stick with him over the likes of Ferran Torres and Joao Felix.

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