Barcelona watch: Busquets is back
Barcelona have been buoyed by the return of classy midfielder Sergio Busquets ahead of the Europa League play-off second leg against Manchester United.
The much-decorated former Spain international was an unused substitute in a comfortable 2-0 home win over Cadiz in La Liga on Sunday night.
He played in both the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals against the Reds.
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Busquets's return to the matchday squad is a real boost for Barca coach Xavi, who will be without Pedri (injured) and Gavi (suspended) for the Old Trafford encounter, which kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Thursday.
With the tie delicately balanced at 2-2, after a pulsating draw at the Nou Camp, there is all to play for in the decider.
In terms of the Cadiz clash, Sergi Roberto and Robert Lewandowski scored the goals towards the end of the first half. Sergi had been Pedri's replacement on Thursday, while Lewandowski was back on the scoresheet, thanks to a clinical low finish, after only one strike in his previous six appearances in La Liga.
Cadiz arguably deserved to pull a goal back after carving out several clear chances but three points and a clean sheet was probably just about perfect for Xavi and his side ahead of the trip to Manchester.
The lead at the summit is eight points, with fierce rivals Real Madrid in second place, as things look healthy on the domestic front for the Catalan giants.
Raphinha, who scored the equaliser against United last week, came off the bench but appears likely to start at Old Trafford, despite reacting angrily to being substituted against the Reds. Xavi gave his backing to the former Leeds man afterwards but could also find a place in the line-up for Ansu Fati, who was in the XI for the Cadiz game, although Ferran Torres performed superbly.
Gavi, of course, will drop out of the side due to his ban, with Busquets and Franck Kessie both in contention to play. French winger Ousmane Dembele is set to miss out again due to injury. Defender Ronald Araujo is available again after serving a suspension in La Liga.
BARCELONA'S TWITTER ON SUNDAY NIGHT
🚨 FULL TIME! #BarçaCádiz pic.twitter.com/V3Upz9FHjD
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 19, 2023
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 19, 2023
Mr. Cleansheet ⛔️☔️ pic.twitter.com/PCzmW31A07
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 19, 2023
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 20, 2023