There’s a titanic clash in the Champions League on Tuesday as Barcelona host Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the quarter-final tie between the two sides.
The first leg was a hugely entertaining game as Barcelona ran out 3-2 winners, coming back from behind to emerge victorious thanks to a double from Raphinha and a goal from Andreas Christensen.
Here’s how the squads are shaping up for the second leg.
Barcelona Team News
Xavi will be without Andreas Christensen and Sergi Roberto, both of whom are serving a suspension after being booked in the first leg.
Barca will be thankful that they now have Frenkie de Jong and Pedri back close to full fitness, though, so they will likely partner Ilkay Gundogan in midfield.
Xavi rested several key players in the weekend win over Cadiz, so we’ll see Ronald Araujo, Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal all return to the starting XI here.
Gavi and Alejandro Balde are out due to injury.
Raphina was the best player on the pitch in the first leg, scoring two goals to help Barca to victory. He’ll be hoping for similar fortunes in the second leg.
PSG Team News
Achraf Hakimi will be welcomed back from suspension after he didn’t feature in the first leg, so he’ll slot back in at right-back. That will mean Marquinhos going into the centre to partner Lucas Hernandez, with Lucas Beraldo dropping to the bench,
Layvin Kurzawa, Presnel Kimpembe and Sergio Rico are all injured.
Bradley Barcola provided a spark from the bench last week, so he might have played his way into contention for the starting XI, potentially at the expense of Marco Asensio.
Key player: PSG
Kylian Mbappe remains PSG’s biggest threat and he’s put Barcelona to the sword before.
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Pedri, Gundogan, De Jong; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
PSG (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Hernandez, Mendes; Kang-in, Ruiz, Vitinha; Dembele, Mbappe, Barcola.
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Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/news/barcelona-vs-psg-predicted-lineups-likely-xi-for-both-teams-16-04-2024/4421
Author : [email protected] (Martin Macdonald)
Publish date : 2024-04-16 09:52:03
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