Barcelona Faces Galatasaray After International Break, Gordon in Form

Squad and Form Overview

FC Barcelona enters their upcoming Champions League fixture against Galatasaray in strong domestic form, sitting atop La Liga with a perfect record of eight wins from eight matches. The Catalan giants have amassed 24 points, five clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid ^[1]. Their recent performances have been marked by a significant improvement in early game scoring, a notable shift from the previous season. This season, Barcelona has found the net before the 25th minute in eight of their nine games. Examples include Raphinha scoring in the 3rd minute against Feyenoord, Lamine Yamal in the 6th minute against Valencia, and Xavi Espart in the 5th minute against Levante ^[2]. This early offensive pressure has contributed to their dominant start to the season. The team will be looking to continue this successful run of form following the international break, during which 17 Barcelona players were called up for national team duty ^[3].

Key Player Updates and Expected Line-up

Barcelona will be without Brazilian winger Raphinha, who sustained a right thigh injury while on international duty. He is expected to miss the club’s next two fixtures ^[1]. In his absence, Gabriel Jesus is likely to step in and cover the wide attacking role for the upcoming matches ^[1]. A positive note for the squad is the form of Anthony Gordon, who recently scored his first goal for FC Barcelona against Getafe ^[4]. Gordon is expected to be in the starting line-up and has been in good form ^[2]. Manager Hansi Flick also has tactical flexibility, with Dani Olmo, Anthony Gordon, and Karim Adeyemi all capable of playing as a false nine if required ^[1].

What it means

FC Barcelona’s dominant start to the season sees them at the summit of La Liga, holding the first position with a perfect 24 points from 8 games. Their impressive goal difference of +27, having scored 34 goals and conceded only 7, underscores their offensive prowess and defensive solidity. The team’s recent form is impeccable, with five consecutive wins across all competitions, including a commanding 3-0 victory over Getafe and a 5-1 win against Feyenoord in the Champions League. This run of form suggests a team in peak condition, capable of scoring multiple goals in each outing. Their next fixture is an away trip to Galatasaray in the Champions League on October 13th. This match will test Barcelona’s ability to maintain their high standards on the European stage, especially with the absence of Raphinha. The site’s forecast for this upcoming Champions League clash will be locked 24 hours before kick-off, providing further insight into expectations for this encounter.

Sources

1. BBC Sport: Raphinha's brilliant Barcelona start interrupted by injury concerns bbc.co.uk ↩
2. Marca: El Barça no tiene espera: le van los goles tempraneros marca.com ↩
3. Marca: Barcelona - Getafe: horario, dónde ver en TV y canal del partido de LaLiga EA Sports marca.com ↩
4. Sky Sports: Gordon continues to shine in Spain with first Barca goal skysports.com ↩