A rotated Barca extended the club’s impressive run at the weekend with a 1-0 win at Cadiz, and Xavi will welcome back a whole host of stars to his starting XI for PSG’s visit on Tuesday.
Here’s how Barcelona could line up for Tuesday’s crucial second leg.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs PSG (4-3-3)
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Some have queried Ter Stegen’s form despite Barcelona’s defensive improvement since his return. Still, he’s a shoo-in for Tuesday.
RB: Jules Kounde – Kounde was excellent against compatriot Kylian Mbappe last week. He was one of several players who earned a rest at the weekend.
CB: Ronald Araujo – Luis Enrique should change tack and allow Mbappe to operate from his favourite zone on Tuesday, which means Araujo could see plenty of PSG’s superstar.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – It’s ridiculous to think that Cubarsi is just 17. The future of Barcelona’s defence, if he wants to be.
LB: Joao Cancelo – Hector Fort got the nod at the weekend, but Cancelo has been Xavi’s starting left-back since Alejandro Balde succumbed to a long-term injury. That won’t change in midweek.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – De Jong’s return was timely last week, and he’s a sure bet to start again on Tuesday with Andreas Christensen suspended.
CM: Pedri – The Spaniard barely needed 60 seconds to remind us of his brilliance in the first leg as he masterfully teed up Raphinha’s second which sapped PSG’s second-half momentum.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – Last summer’s free agent arrival has come to the fore amid Barca’s extensive unbeaten run, and he was superb in the first leg. Xavi will turn to the German to lead the hosts into the last four on Tuesday.
RW: Lamine Yamal – Barcelona’s young superstar was overshadowed in Paris, and he’ll be keen to make a major statement on the biggest stage in the return leg.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – There was no goal for Lewandowski last week, but the Pole played a huge role in Barca’s triumph. The striker has been in excellent form over the past couple of months.
LW: Raphinha – Xavi’s versatile Brazilian was the hero of the first leg, as he scored twice in La Blaugrana’s eventual victory. Raphinha is desperate to prove himself in Catalonia, and he’s beginning to emerge as a reliable star.
