Barcelona face the biggest test of their season so far as the La Liga leaders welcome European champions PSG for the marquee matchup of the League Phase in this season’s UEFA Champions League.
The Catalans
are yet to drop points since the international break, winning five in a row in all competitions and taking top spot in the La Liga table at the weekend. But a monster test against Luis Enrique’s side awaits, despite the major injury crisis facing the French giants in this one.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Wednesday’s battle.
Defense
Barça come into this one missing two key starters in Joan Garcia and Raphinha and another key squad player in Fermín López along with the long-term absences of Marc-André ter Stegen and Gavi, but there’s still more than enough talent and quality available to field a pretty strong XI on Wednesday.
Wojciech Szczesny will remain in goal, and we expect Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí to start at the back as well, though the excellent form of Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen puts both of them in contention.
The main doubt is at left-back, with Alejandro Balde’s status still up in the air as of this writing. Balde was hoping to be back in time to start this one but it appears he may not be quite ready, so we think Gerard Martín will keep his place at left-back for this one.
Midfield
There’s zero doubt about the midfield trio for this one: Frenkie de Jong and Pedri were fantastic in the first European game against Newcastle and will be even more important against the Vitinha-led PSG midfield, and Dani Olmo will start in the number 10 spot looking to make a big impact with his creativity and scoring ability.
Attack
Lamine Yamal played 35 sublime minutes in his return from injury at the weekend and looks fully fit and ready to make his first start in a month for Barça, taking over his usual right wing spot. The other two spots up front are up for grabs with three candidates available: Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford. All three deserve to start but only two can, and we think Rashford will miss out in this one and come off the bench.
Possible XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Martín; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Ferran; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against PSG? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
