Predicted XIs: Xavi Hernandez to make the few changes he can to Barcelona against Shakhtar Donetsk
Barcelona face Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday evening at the early kick-off time of 18:45 CEST, and despite Xavi Hernandez describing the clash as vital, most people have one eye on El Clasico.
That won’t matter to Shakhtar Donetsk, who have appointed a new manager in Mario Pusic, the day before the game. Presumably acting coach and Sporting Director Darijo Srna will continue with his input for this game.
For Barcelona, Xavi would not doubt like to rotate more ahead of El Clasico, but with Gavi suspended and Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Raphinha, Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto all injured, he has little room to do so. Eight of their 20-man squad are on youth or Barca Atletic contracts.
Sport believe Xavi will make just two changes to the starting XI that beat Athletic Club on Sunday night, with Marcos Alonso replacing Alejandro Balde, and Lamine Yamal coming in for Gavi. That would see Fermin Lopez drop into midfield.
Meanwhile MD are of much the same mind, but see Ronald Araujo starting in place of Andreas Christensen alongside Inigo Martinez, after replacing the Dane in the second half against Athletic.
Shakhtar Donetsk are without Ivan Petryak and striker Lacina Traore, and are likely to look to counter the Blaugrana. Ilkay Gundogan will be given plenty of responsibility, as he seeks to balance out the midfield between a deeper Oriol Romeu and Fermin Lopez getting into the box. With Lamine Yamal operating almost exclusively out wide for Xavi so far, it will mean less rotation in the front line this time, with Ferran Torres likely remaining in the middle more often than not.
Image via Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images
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