Barcelona predicted lineup vs Brest
Barcelona are back in Champions League action on Tuesday with a visit from French side Brest.
Hansi Flick’s side are winless in two games domestically but will hope to end that run with a return to European action, where they have won three on the bounce to keep themselves right in the mix at the top of the table.
Tuesday’s opponents have enjoyed a rip-roaring start to the Champions League campaign. Brest sit fourth, one point ahead of Barcelona, but have yet to face anything quite like the La Liga leaders.
Here’s how Barcelona could set up for this one.
GK: Inaki Pena – Flick is yet to turn away from the homegrown Pena and the 25-year-old does not deserve to lose his place just yet, despite the presence of Wojciech Szczesny waiting in the wings.
RB: Jules Kounde – Kounde has already apologised for his costly error last time out against Celta Vigo. He’ll work twice as hard to ensure there is no apology needed from this one.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – It is far too early to suggest Flick needs to blow up his preferred defence. Teenage star Cubarsi remains one of the first names on the team sheet.
CB: Inigo Martinez – Eric Garcia might be back on the bench for this one but there are no suggestions that Flick is even tempted to move away from Martinez, who has exceeded expectations this season.
LB: Gerard Martin – Flick confirmed that Alejandro Balde is not fit enough to feature here, so it’s between Martin and right-back Hector Fort for this spot. Don’t be surprised to see both players given one half each.
DM: Frenkie de Jong – De Jong came off the bench for the final 15 minutes in Vigo, which suggests he’s being saved for a start on Tuesday.
DM: Marc Casado – Casado’s suspension for his red card against Celta does not impact Champions League action, meaning the youngster is free to start once again.
RM: Raphinha – The team’s form may have dipped slightly, but Raphinha is still cooking. He already has five goals and two assists to his name in the Champions League this season.
AM: Pedri – Gavi started against Celta and is unlikely to be given back-to-back starts so soon after his return from such a serious injury. Expect Pedri to return to this advanced role.
LM: Dani Olmo – Olmo is an easy pick for the wing, not least because of the lack of available alternatives. Ferran Torres should make it back to the bench after a spell out through injury.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Lewandowski reached the 20-goal mark on Saturday night, having only failed to score in two games since the end of September.