22 September 2021, 16:46 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The LaLiga Santander fixture, Cadiz C.F. vs. F.C. Barcelona, kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Thursday, September 23, at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla.
Preview Cádiz La Liga, Sep 23, 2021
Preview Cadiz defeated Celta Vigo, 2-1, last Friday, on Matchday 5, at Balaídos. Anthony Lozano (38') and Alfonso Espino (43') handed Cadiz the two-goal advantage until four minutes after the hour mark when Vigo's Santi Mina (64') struck. However, the yellow & blue-wearing side held on to the narrow lead, berthing in safety at full-time. It was the first win for Cadiz this season, DDLLW, which propelled the club to 13th place. Coupled with 5 points after 1W, 2D, & 2L, Cadiz has six goals (1.2 g.s.p.g) after five games but conceded eight times (1.6 g.c.p.g) and are left with a G.D. of -2. Against Barcelona, Alvaro Cervera is expected to utilize the 4—1—4—1 formation, with Sobrino in attack. Left-back Alfonso Espino aims for his third goal of the season after helping his side to their first victory last Friday.
Preview FC Barcelona La Liga, Sep 23, 2021
Preview After slipping down to 7th place following Monday's 1-1 draw against Granada, a replacement at the helm could be seen at Barcelona in the next few days. According to Goal Sport, Barcelona are preparing to part ways with the Dutchman, with Belgium boss, Roberto Martinez in line to replace the 58-year-old. In another report by Mundo Deportivo, Xavier Hernández remains an alternative. Look at our squad list, Koeman said in the post-match interview after being quizzed on Barcelona's style of play. We did what we could. We don't have the players from the tiki-taka days. We have to play in our own style. This isn't the Barcelona of eight years ago, he added. Having eight points after four games, 2W, 2D, & 0L, and with the axe looming, the Barcelona boss was tired of answering questions regarding his future at Camp Nou. I don’t answer any more questions about the future, Koeman told La Liga TV. Going by the pattern: WDWD, Koeman shouldn’t have any worries on Thursday, but he will be aware that anything less than a win could be the final straw. Barça have 8 goals (2 g.s.p.g) after four games but conceded five times (an average of 1.25 goals-per-match) and have a G.D. of +3. Ronald Koeman's probable 4—3—3 formation could see Memphis Depay, Coutinho and Demir in attack. Decimated by injuries, Barcelona will be without Sergio Aguero (calf injury), Ansu Fati, and Ousmane Dembélé (hamstring injury) for the foreseeable future. Martin Braithwaite faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after knee surgery, while Pedri and Jordi Alba remain sidelined.