The next Barcelona game is about to start! At the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, the Blaugrana will play their third Champions League group stage match against Shakhtar Donetsk to kick off their European campaign. Xavi Hernández has selected the following 20 players for the match on Wednesday:
Goalkeepers: 1. Marc-André ter Stegen, 13. Iñaki Peña, 26. Ander Astralaga
Defenders: 2. João Cancelo, 3. Alejandro Balde, 4. Ronald Araujo, 5. Iñigo Martínez, 15. Andreas Christensen, 17. Marcos Alonso, 33. Pau Cubarsí, 39. Héctor Fort
Midfielders: 18. Oriol Romeu, 22. Ilkay Gündogan, 30. Marc Casadó, 32. Fermín López, 34. Aleix Garrido
Forwards: 7. Ferran Torres, 14. João Félix, 27. Lamine Yamal, 38. Marc Guiu
While there was some hope that one or two of the injured players might return for this match, Xavi will again be without six first team players due to injuries: Sergi Roberto (calf), Pedri (thigh), Raphinha (hamstring), Robert Lewandowski (ankle), and Frenkie de Jong (ankle).
Due to Gavi’s seven-match ban for violent behavior, the coach will need to use a number of academy graduates to make up the difference. This will give defenders Pau Cubarsí and Héctor Fort, midfielders Marc Casadó and Aleix Garrido, and overnight sensation Marc Guiu the opportunity to play on a European night.
Predicted starting XI (4-3-3):
Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Araujo, Christensen, Alonso; Fermín, Romeu, Gündogan; Yamal, Ferran, Félix
You may join us to monitor and comment on all the action starting at 6.45 p.m. CET (Barcelona), 5.45 p.m. BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 12.45 p.m. ET, 9.45 a.m. PT (USA), and 10.15 p.m. IST (India).
