Who will dress up as Andres Iniesta for Barça against Man City?

Luis Enrique has spent days working on the game against Manchester City. In fact, a number of injuries have obliged him to go to the Etihad Stadium with a lineup dictated by certain circumstances, above all in defence and midfield, because up front the artillery is intact.

Javier Mashcerano and Samuel Umtiti are sure bets to replace Gerard Pique, but it’s more complicated to know who will take on Andres Iniesta’s role. 

The two other midfielders are fixed. In the pivot role will be Sergio Busquets, back from his rest against Granada, while Ivan Rakitic will play as the right sided central midfielder after playing in a more experimental position against Granada. 

But the big debate is about who will replace Iniesta. There are four candidates for Luis Enrique: Arda Turan, who’s back from an injury, Rafinha, Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes. Each candidate has their pros and cons. 

In Arda’s favour is his form so far this season and his understanding with the front three. However, against him is the fact he’s just returned from a knock. Plus his more natural position would be further forward. 

As for Rafinha, he’s in a sweet moment of goal scoring form and has played in the Iniesta position on a number of occasions, but sometimes he disappears and doesn’t get involved as much as he should. 

Denis Suarez is the one who can play between the lines the best but he’s lacking a little courage. Maybe he doesn’t quite believe in himself enough at the moment. 

Finally, Andre Gomes has the physique and the technical ability to become an ideal player for this role. But he’s still adapting to this Barça team and his decision making hasn’t always been the best. 

These are the four options. Let’s see who Luis Enrique chooses.