Xavi Hernandez will make a few rotations when Barcelona and Royal Antwerp meet at Stadium BOSUIL on Wednesday.
Barcelona will look to end the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage on a high when they lock horns with Royal Antwerp at Stadium BOSUIL on Wednesday night. And Xavi Hernandez does not have any new fitness issues to deal with ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso, and Gavi remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s original group did not have Ronald Araujo, Ilkay Gundogan, and Robert Lewandowski. But the Catalan giants updated their travelling squad on Tuesday, with the trio featuring in it.
Xavi spoke about the update during his pre-match press conference while addressing the topic of rotation. He said, “It is good for everyone to play. Lewandowski, Araujo, and Gundogan will travel with us because in the end, we decided to sleep in Antwerp.”
“The plan changed and it also good for us to travel together. We haven’t trained yet. The idea is to make changes and rest the players with muscle fatigue… Those who have minutes on their legs, like Ronald, Robert or Gundogan.”
By Xavi’s comments, it is clear he will rotate his troops on Wednesday, with Ronald Araujo, Ilkay Gundogan, and Robert Lewandowski missing the game. So, Ferran Torres should spearhead the Barcelona attack, with Lamine Yamal and Joao Felix joining him in the final third. Lewandowski will be an option on the bench, along with Raphinha, if Xavi needs them later in the game.
As for the midfield unit, Gundogan will drop to the bench, with Oriol Romeu and Fermin Lopez getting their chances to impress. The duo will likely accompany Sergi Roberto in the middle of the park, with Frenkie de Jong and Pedri also getting some rest amid lingering concerns over their fitness.
Inaki Pena will continue to deputise for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him. Finally, the backline should feature Joao Cancelo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Alejandro Balde. But a few youngsters will also get their opportunities in the second half.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Lopez, Romeu, Roberto; Yamal, Torres, Felix
