Enzo Maresca offers major hints about his starting lineup against Newcastle through his recent decisions with Panathinaikos. His choices could reveal key strategies and player roles for the upcoming match, shedding light on his tactical approach.
The Blues beat the Greek Pro League side 4-1 away from home in the Europa Conference League last night, keeping their winning start in the league stages going.
Joao Felix bagged two goals on the night, Christopher Nkunku got a penalty, and Mykhailo Mudryk got a neat little header at the back post after playing very well all game.
Maresca used his ‘second string Xl’ for this game, as he does for cup games. In league games, he goes with his ‘best Xl’. But in the game last night, he has given us some huge clues on who will start against Newcastle on Sunday.
Enzo Fernandez didn’t start against Liverpool in the league last Sunday, being dropped for Romeo Lavia. But Enzo did start last night. This to me suggests it will be Lavia starting over Enzo against Newcastle as well.
Malo Gusto didn’t even travel to Greece this week but not because he is injured. Marc Cucurella started and played the whole game last night, but against Liverpool on Sunday, it was Gusto who got the nod at left back, and as Cucurella played last night, this tells me it will be Gusto starting at left back again against Newcastle.
I think it will be this:
Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Caicedo, Lavia, Palmer; Sancho, Madueke, Jackson.
There was calls that Pedro Neto should start and has earned a start, but he also started last night, suggesting he will only get a starting bench place on Sunday against Newcastle.
Based on Maresca’s lineup choices in the Europa Conference League, it sounds likely he will prioritize a rested squad for the upcoming league match against Newcastle. His “second string XI” against the Greek side provided some strong indicators:
1. **Enzo Fernandez**: Since Enzo played in Europe and Lavia started against Liverpool, it does appear Lavia will get the nod again in midfield for the league match, with Enzo possibly on the bench.
2. **Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella**: Given that Gusto didn’t travel to Greece but started in the league previously, he seems likely to start again at left-back, with Cucurella used more for rotational depth.
3. **Pedro Neto**: Although there’s pressure for Neto to start due to his form, his appearance in the Conference League hints he may be kept as a substitute on Sunday.
Your predicted lineup seems on track with Maresca’s approach of balancing squad fitness. A likely starting XI could be:
**Sanchez; James, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Caicedo, Lavia, Palmer; Sancho, Madueke, Jackson**
This selection looks well-suited to face Newcastle, with fresh legs in key positions. It’ll be interesting to see if Maresca sticks with this rotation approach in the league and saves other players for European competitions.
