Cádiz vs Barcelona: Floundering Blaugrana seek restart at struggling hosts' expense

September 22, 2021 By Michelle Bonsu

Topics: TV Schedules, Barcelona, Cádiz, La Liga

Barcelona have gotten off to a rough start this season, and the Catalan giants will be aiming to regroup when they travel to face struggling Cadiz.

Preview: Cádiz vs Barcelona

Incredibly, only three points separate minnows Cadiz from their well-decorated visitors, albeit Barcelona have played four games versus their upcoming hosts' five. That being said, it's naturally the Blaugrana who have a bit more to be worried about, especially considering that they find themselves in a very disappointing eighth place, having alternated between a win and a draw from their first four games. This includes a shock 1-1 stalemate against relegation threatened Granada, during which the Catalan powerhouse actually looked like they were in danger of suffering a humiliating defeat before Ronald Araujo saved the day.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan international, who plays as a central defender grabbed a late, late goal to spare Ronald Koeman even more embarrassment, especially after the way Barcelona didn't cover themselves in glory during a 3-0 loss to - who else - Bayern Munich. Yes, it wasn't a typical Bayern mauling in that die Roten didn't score five or six goals, but it was still a horrible showing from a team of Barcelona's caliber, even more so at the Camp Nou in front of their home fans.

It's safe to say that naturally the departure of Lionel Messi to PSG has really hit the team hard, and they also ended up seeing Antoine Griezmann leave for Atletico Madrid on deadline day. Veteran striker Sergio Aguero, who was signed to help boost their attack, hasn't been able to feature at all due to a series of injuries, and now the Argentinian star has been joined on the injury list by youngster Ansu Fati, who was given Messi's famed no. 10 shirt in a move that had many buzzing.

As for Cadiz, they come into this game having picked up a very impressive 2-0 road win against Celta de Vigo. That also happens to be their first win of the 2021/22 La Liga season and also avoided them losing a third straight match. Certainly, they will be fancying their chances against a Barcelona side who not only are dealing with a spate of injuries, but have looked out of sorts lately, but will beating the Blaugrana outright be a bridge too far for the minnows? They did pick up four points against this same team during the 2020/2021 season thanks to a home win and an away draw, so it will be very interesting to see the outcome of events on Wednesday evening.

Team news: Cádiz vs Barcelona

Cádiz: The hosts' injury list isn't as long as Barcelona's, although they'll have to make do without Jon Ander Garrido, who's recovering from a recent surgery, as well as Jose Mari due to hamstring injury. However, they'll be able to welcome back Juan Cala from suspension in addition to Carlos Akapo and Alberto Perea, both of whom have recovered from their respective injuries.

Barcelona: Barcelona, on the other hand do have a growing injury list. In addition to the aforementioned Aguero, the Blaugrana will be missing Jordi Alba, youngsters Pedri and Fati, Martin Braithwaite, and Ousmane Dembele.

Match facts: Cádiz vs Barcelona

Although they've had a rocky start, Barcelona have nonetheless lost just three of their last 32 matches in La Liga
Cadiz have won just three of their last 26 meetings with Barcelona (D4 L19)
However, one of those wins was on December 5, 2020 (2-1)
During the 2020/21 La Liga season Cadiz also picked up four points overall against Barcelona (one win, one draw)