Xavi Hernandez will ring in the changes to the Barcelona starting lineup when they welcome PSG to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday.
Barcelona will aim to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals when they welcome Paris Saint-Germain to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday night. And Xavi Hernandez has new roster issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Sergi Roberto and Andreas Christensen are the latest absentees, with the duo unavailable due to suspension. The versatile pair has joined Alejandro Balde and Gavi on the sidelines. Otherwise, Xavi has a full-strength squad at his disposal ahead of Tuesday’s European clash.
Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, the former Spanish international spoke about Pedri’s preparedness to last ninety minutes in a game. The young midfielder has struggled with fitness issues for a long time and has been building up his sharpness in the last few weeks.
The Barcelona manager said, “Everyone who will be called up can play the full 90 minutes. With Pedri we will talk about fatigue. Pedri has to be very important tomorrow.”
Xavi also discussed the absence of Roberto and Christensen during his presser. He continued, “Christensen and Sergi are very important for us. The suspensions hurt us. The key for tomorrow is to be a team. We have to give our all to get through to the semi-finals. If we are a team, we will have the numbers to reach the semi-finals.”
Christensen’s absence means Pau Cubarsi will start a European game again, pairing up with Ronald Araujo at the heart of the defence. Jules Kounde and Joao Cancelo should be the two full-backs, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen taking his usual spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Pedri should make his first start for Barcelona since returning to action. The young Spanish international will join Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong in a full-strength midfield trifecta.
The offensive department should also see a raft of changes, with Robert Lewandowski leading the line for Barcelona against PSG. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will complete the numbers in the final third. So, Ferran Torres will be an option on the bench for the home side.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Pedri, Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
