Barcelona will be eager to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday night. Hansi Flick has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ronald Araujo is in the travelling squad to take on Borussia Dortmund after recently resuming full training. So, Marc-Andre ter Stegen (knee), Andreas Christensen (achilles), Marc Bernal (ACL), and Ansu Fati (hamstring) are the only remaining players on the sidelines.
Christensen and Fati should return soon, although that will unlikely happen before next month. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick provided a fitness update on Araujo. He also praised Frenkie de Jong, who Nuri Sahin lauded ahead of the game.
Araujo will unlikely start, but he should get some minutes off the bench if the scoreline allows that. However, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez will form the central defensive pairing, with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde being the two full-backs. Inaki Pena will continue to deputise for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him.
As for the midfield unit, Frenkie de Jong should replace Marc Casado as Pedri’s partner in the double pivot. Casado and Gavi will be backup options on the bench for Flick. Dani Olmo will reprise the no. 10 role, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal being the two wide attackers. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the away side against Borussia Dortmund.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Pedri, de Jong; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
