After enjoying full weeks of training between their first four La Liga games, Barça have finally entered a crazy part of the schedule that will see games every three days until the World Cup. Rotation is key and the team is deep enough to do that.
According to early reports ahead of this game, the boss is expected to make four changes to the starting XI from the last two matches, with two of those coming at the back: Ronald Araujo and Eric García are likely to watch this one from the bench, giving Jules Kounde a chance to play at his favored position at center-back alongside Andreas Christensen, who is likely to start after missing the last two games due to illness.
That leaves a vacancy at right-back and there is a chance that Héctor Bellerín will make his Barca debut as a starter. But the most likely option is Sergi Roberto, who has been a regular substitute and played well in his limited time on the pitch. The Catalans could get an opportunity to start here and continue the process of more minutes over the next few weeks.
If the reports are true, either Ansu or Ferran will be joined by Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, who both scored against Sevilla and are known as extremely fit players who don’t really need to be rested that often. Lewandowski absolutely LOVES to play Champions League games against weaker teams, especially at home, and we might just be in for a special night in front of goal by the Pole.
Possible XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; De Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Ferran (4-3-3)
Leave a comment