Barcelona’s quest for a sixth Champions League triumph and their first since 2015 continues when they take on Shakhtar Donetsk on Matchday 3 of the 2023/24 competition.
The Catalan giants squeaked past Athletic Club 1-0 on Sunday thanks to Marc Guiu’s late winner, with manager Xavi dealing with a number of significant injuries as he chases success on both domestic and European fronts.
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Will Xavi dip his hand into the pool of La Masia talent again to dig his side out of a tricky spot? Here’s the side the manager could pick on Wednesday.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Has kept three clean sheets in his last four club games, the blots on his record being two efforts from Bryan Zaragoza in the 2-2 draw with Granada.
RB: Joao Cancelo – Told young Guiu he owed the rest of the squad a McDonald’s meal after his winner on Sunday.
CB: Ronald Araujo – Could come into the starting lineup for Inigo Martinez if Xavi deems him fit enough.
CB: Andreas Christensen – Withdrawn after an hour of action on Sunday but should make his second Champions League start of the season.
LB: Alejandro Balde – Shook off an injury scare sustained on international duty to start against Athletic and continues to look up to the task of being Jordi Alba’s long-term successor.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – Still searching for his first goal with Barca, having displayed his goal threat from midfield consistently during his Manchester City career.
CM: Oriol Romeu – Was below par against Athletic but is expected to retain his spot with a lack of alternatives available to Xavi.
CM: Fermin Lopez – Played in attack and was the player substituted for Guiu before the 17-year-old struck Barca’s winner on Sunday. May drop into midfield with Gavi suspended, Frenkie de Jong still out and Pedri on the edges of full fitness.
RW: Lamine Yamal – Dropped to the bench last time out but Yamal should feature from the outset. Can break the record for the youngest Champions League goalscorer ever with a strike here.
ST: Ferran Torres – Barca’s central point in attack with Robert Lewandowski sidelined, 23-year-old Torres has ten goals in 23 Champions League appearances; two for Valencia, four for Man City and four for Barca.
LW: Joao Felix – Provided the assist for Sunday’s winner and Barca will be fully expecting another important contribution from the Portugal international.
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