FC Barcelona shall be gunning to bounce again to profitable methods within the UEFA Champions League once they host Olympiacos later tonight at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Having succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to PSG of their earlier outing within the competitors, Barça are conscious they should keep away from any extra slip-ups with a view to guarantee a top-eight end within the league standings and safe a direct qualification to the knockouts.
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Accidents, although, pose a priority for Barcelona as Hansi Flick shall be with out a number of key gamers. In spite of everything, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Joan Garcia, Gavi, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all unavailable.
On the similar time, the Barça head coach can even have an eye fixed on the all-important El Clasico developing on the weekend, with the highest spot in La Liga on the road.
Regardless of that, it’s seemingly that Flick goes in along with his very best XI tonight towards Olympiacos, hoping to seal the consequence as early as attainable and provides his key gamers a breather within the second half.
With that in thoughts, right here’s how Barcelona might line up towards Jose Luis Mendilibar’s group at Montjuic tonight.
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Defence
With no Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny continues to be the automated choose between the sticks so far as Barcelona are involved.
There’ll seemingly be a change within the line of defense, although, with Ronald Araujo getting a look-in after his heroics towards Girona over the weekend. The Uruguayan ought to companion Pau Cubarsi on the coronary heart of the defence.
In the meantime, Eric Garcia, who has been one among Barça’s most constant performers this season, ought to transfer to the right-back place. It will imply a relaxation for Jules Kounde, who has not been at his finest up to now this time period. Alejandro Balde will man the left-back place.
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Midfield
No relaxation for the weary. (Photograph by Fran Santiago/Getty Pictures)
Each Pedri and Frenkie de Jong might use a relaxation, particularly with the Clasico on the horizon. However it’s unlikely that Flick will bench both, contemplating that Barcelona are already lacking a number of vital gamers.
As such, we might see Pedri and De Jong function in barely superior positions within the centre of the park, whereas Marc Casado strains up because the solitary pivot.
There could also be minutes for Marc Bernal off the bench as Flick continues to be cautious with the teenage wonderkid’s reintegration put up ACL damage.
Assault
The attacking unit has been hit onerous by accidents, leaving Flick with little or no to work with. Nevertheless, there’ll seemingly be one notable change within the frontline that featured towards Girona over the weekend.
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Marcus Rashford is predicted to fit in because the centre-forward for Barcelona tonight, within the absence of Ferran and Lewandowski. Toni Fernandez, who began as a false-nine on the weekend, will drop to the bench.
In the meantime, Fermin Lopez ought to start out on the left flank, marking his first begin after getting back from an damage this previous weekend. Roony Bardghji is an possibility, however is probably going for use off the bench once more.
Lamine Yamal, for sure, would be the remaining a part of Barcelona’s attacking trident, hoping to tear aside the Olympiacos defence from the precise flank.