Pedri and Raphinha should return to the starting lineup when Barcelona and Inter Milan face off at San Siro on Tuesday.

Barcelona will hope to bounce back to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League when they lock horns with Inter Milan at San Siro on Tuesday night. And Xavi Hernandez does not have any fresh injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Barcelona will travel to Lombardy without five first-team players, with Ronald Araujo, Hector Bellerin, Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong, and Memphis Depay still unavailable. Otherwise, Xavi has a full-strength squad at his disposal. And during his pre-match press conference, the Barcelona boss also spoke about various topics.

Inter Milan vs Barcelona Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Xavi said on the injuries, “Both Inter and Barcelona have injuries. I would highlight Inter’s movements in such an automatic way. Against Roma, they deserved to win. I would also highlight their defence, they are very strong. It will be very difficult to win.”

The Barcelona boss also imposed his faith on Sergi Roberto. He said, “I spoke to him last year, when there were doubts about whether he would renew. It was clear to me. He is a very important wild card. He’s a highly valued player despite the criticism. Sergi Roberto always trains well, always plays well and doesn’t give any problems. All coaches want players like him.”

Roberto should return to the starting lineup, taking his spot on the right flank, with Alejandro Balde moving to the left-back berth after starting as a makeshift right-back against RCD Mallorca. Eric Garcia should return to the side, pairing up with Andreas Christensen at the heart of the Barcelona defence. And Marc-Andre ter Stegen will take his place between the sticks.

The midfield unit should witness one change, with Pedri likely replacing Franck Kessie. The teenage prodigy will join Gavi and Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets in the middle of the park, with Kessie an option on the bench.

Robert Lewandowski should continue to spearhead the Barcelona attack against Inter Milan. The Pole will accompany Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha in the final third, with Raphinha coming in for Ansu Fati. But Xavi might introduce Fati as a game changer off the bench if the game remains even in the second half.

Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Roberto, Garcia, Christensen, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Dembele

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