Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski will return to the Barcelona starting lineup when they take on Atletico Madrid at Estadio Metropolitano on Tuesday.
Barcelona will aim to come back from a goal down and clinch a berth in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals when they lock horns with Atletico Madrid at Estadio Metropolitano in the quarter-final second leg on Tuesday night. Hansi Flick has a new roster issue to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Pau Cubarsi is the latest absentee, as he will serve a suspension after being sent off in the first leg last week. Additionally, Andreas Christensen (knee) and Raphinha (hamstring) remain in the treatment room.
However, Marc Bernal (ankle) may be in contention to take on Atletico Madrid after being a part of the travelling squad. While the young midfielder has not “yet been passed fit” for Tuesday’s match, he will hope to be involved in some capacity. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick provided fitness updates on Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, and Bernal.
The Barcelona manager said, “Frenkie is better than Bernal. We’ll see today, but it’ll be tough for him. Frenkie might even start; we’ll see what we decide – we’ll make that call this afternoon.”
“Gavi can play, of course. He’s a player who gives everything to this team and the club, and on the pitch he’s not afraid of anything, which is a very good thing – we’ll see. Whether he starts in the starting eleven or not, we’ll see after training.”
Joan Garcia is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Atletico Madrid. The backline will feature Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martin, and Joao Cancelo. Araujo, who started as the right-back against Espanyol this past weekend, will deputise for Cubarsi as a centre-back.
As for the midfield unit, Eric Garcia will line up alongside Pedri in the double pivot, with Frenkie de Jong and Gavi being backup options on the bench. Dani Olmo will reprise the no. 10 role, with Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford being the two wide attackers. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the away side against Atletico Madrid, leaving Ferran Torres as a substitute.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Joan Garcia; Kounde, Araujo, Martin, Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski