Barcelona fans will hope to see Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski returning to the starting lineup against Napoli on Tuesday.
Barcelona will aim to book their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 when they welcome Napoli to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday night. And Xavi Hernandez has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ronald Araujo will return after missing the league game this past weekend due to a suspension. But Raphinha’s availability is uncertain after picking up a knock against RCD Mallorca. In addition, Marcos Alonso, Alejandro Balde, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, and Ferran Torres remain on the sidelines.
Xavi did not provide a fitness update on any player during his pre-match press conference, only speaking about Ferran Torres. The Barcelona boss said, “Ferran’s thing is not a relapse, it’s the feelings, and I hope he is against Atlético.”
Meanwhile, Xavi praised Andreas Christensen’s versatility, with the Dani excelling as a defensive midfielder. He said, “Christensen just to defend? It is difficult for a midfielder to create chances and he already gave an assist against Getafe. He is giving more than we thought, it is a positive change. He can filter passes.”
Christensen will retain his spot at the base of the midfield unit, with Ilkay Gundogan being an automatic pick in the middle of the park for Barcelona. Fermin Lopez should join the duo in the centre of the pitch in the absence of Pedri, de Jong, and Gavi, with Oriol Romeu missing out.
As for the attack, Robert Lewandowski should return, leading the line for Barcelona against Napoli after Marc Guiu started as the central striker against Mallorca. But Lamine Yamala and Joao Felix should continue as the wide attackers on Tuesday.
The defensive unit should see a change, with Ronald Araujo returning to the starting lineup, pairing up with Inigo Martinez at the heart of the defence. Finally, Jules Kounde and Joao Cancelo should be the two full-backs, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen taking his spot between the sticks.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Cancelo; Gundogan, Christensen, Lopez; Yamal, Lewandowski, Felix
