Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo will return to the Barcelona starting lineup against Shakhtar Donetsk at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Barcelona will look to continue the unbeaten start to the season when they welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night. And Xavi Hernandez has a new roster issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Gavi is the latest absentee, with the teenage sensation serving a suspension in the midweek fixture. The Spanish international has joined Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski on the sidelines. So, Xavi has picked several youth prospects in his matchday squad.
Marc Guiu, the match-winner against Athletic Club this past weekend, is one of the prospects in the Barcelona squad. And Xavi discussed the teenage wonderkid and other academy talent in his pre-match press conference.
He said, “Guiu, Lamine and the others are humble people. it is fundamental in life and in sport. Marc has trained to the fullest, Lamine the same, and Fermin and those who come up. I see no problem in the management at the human level.”
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Xavi also spoke about the roster issues plaguing his squad. He said, “The injured players are not at 100% and that’s why they are not on the list. I’m still optimistic that some of them will make it to the Clásico, it doesn’t change anything. It is not ideal, but it is what it is. Injured, Gavi suspended. We are not here to complain, it will not be an excuse.”
Guiu will not take the field from the get-go but should appear off the bench later in the game. Ferran Torres will instead spearhead the Barcelona attack, with Joao Felix and Lamine Yamal accompanying him in the final third.
Gavi’s absence means Fermin Lopez will move into the midfield unit after taking the left-wing berth this past weekend against Athletic Club. Lopez will likely join Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu in the middle of the park.
As for the defensive unit, Ronald Araujo should replace Andreas Christensen, who will get some rest ahead of this weekend’s El Clasico. Araujo will form the central defensive partnership alongside Inigo Martinez, with Joao Cancelo and Marcos Alonso being the full-backs. Finally, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will take his spot between the sticks.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Cancelo, Araujo, Martinez, Balde; Lopez, Romeu, Gundogan; Yamal, Felix, Torres
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