Oriol Romeu will return to the Barcelona starting lineup against FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Barcelona will look to continue the unbeaten start to the 2023/24 season when they lock horns with FC Porto at Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday night. And Xavi Hernandez has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Raphinha sustained a hamstring injury this past weekend against Sevilla. The issue will keep the Brazilian international on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. Raphinha has joined Frenkie de Jong and Pedri on the sidelines, with the trio out of the travelling squad.
Xavi did not discuss Raphinha’s injury during his pre-match press conference. But he took some time out to speak about a few talking points from his squad. These included Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, and Joao Felix.
He said, “Fermin López? He is part of the first team, he has earned it, he is dynamic, I like him a lot and he is a surprise for everyone. I think he can help us a lot, he has a lot of level and if he believes it he can be a Barça player for many years. He is ready. Lewandowski? I talk to him a lot. He’s an involved player, he tells me what he sees.”
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“I hope Lamine marks an era for Barça, but we are not doing him a favor by talking about that and comparisons with Messi. João Félix? The summary is that he is happy, very happy, he benefits from a position where he can enhance his talent, he looks out for the team, and all his talent comes out. He is supportive, generous and that is why things are working out for him.”
Yamal, Felix, and Lewandowski should form the offensive unit in the absence of the injured Raphinha. So, Ferran Torres will be an option on the bench, with Fermin Lopez also being a candidate to make an impact later in the game.
As for the midfield unit, Oriol Romeu should return to the starting lineup to sit at the base of the midfield unit. The experienced midfielder will join Ilkay Gundogan and Gavi in the middle of the park.
Finally, the defensive unit should remain unchanged, even though Ronald Araujo is a candidate to come in for Andreas Christensen. But Christensen should form the central defensive partnership alongside Jules Kounde. Finally, Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde will be the two full-backs, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen featuring between the sticks.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Gavi, Romeu, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Felix
