All eyes are on the defensive record that is slowly slipping away from Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Barcelona.
Ter Stegen’s grip on the all-time La Liga record is loosening after conceding six goals in his last three appearances. The German cannot score another goal this season and must register at least one more clean sheet if he wants to break the record shared by Jan Oblak and Paco Liano.
Xavi will look to seal that clean sheet when Mallorca comes to town on Sunday, so here’s how he could set up.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – man of time If ter Stegen keeps a clean sheet here, he will average 0.472 goals per game, better than Oblak or Liano. He will be rested for the final match of the season to safeguard his statistics.
RB: Alejandro Balde – youth is the future barcelonaLeft-behind space but may have to move right from here.
CB: Jules Counde – Despite some uncertainty surrounding his future at the club, Kaunde should return here and be moved into the central role he yearns for.
CB: Andreas Christensen – In addition to his superb goal last time out, Christensen has been an integral part of Barcelona’s push for this defensive record.
LB: Jordi Alba – After this Alba will say goodbye to Camp Nou confirmed his departure from Barcelona this summer.
DM: Sergio Busquets – Busquets will be accompanied on the farewell tour by Alba, who needs to be brought back into the team after Eric Garcia’s horror against Valladolid.
Chief Minister: Frankie de Jong De Jong could be promoted to the captaincy group next season as Busquets and Alba prepare to vacate their places.
CM : Gavi – Gavi struggled badly in the last game but Pedri’s ongoing struggles due to injury should give him another chance to play.
RW: Rafinha – Will this be his last run out at Camp Nou? Barcelona is looking to bring back Lionel MessiRafinha is regularly touted as a potential casualty.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Five goals ahead of Karim Benzema, Lewasdowski Pichichi should be wrapped beforehand.
LW: Ousmane Dembele – There are talks going on behind the scenes about extending Dembele’s contract. His deal has a €50m release clause triggered this summer but nobody’s worried.