Barça News

Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Royal Antwerp | Champions League

Published

3 years ago

13/12/2023

Udhav Arora

Photo by JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images

Comment

Barcelona will be looking to return to winning ways after a demoralising 2-4 defeat against Girona in La Liga this weekend as they take on Royal Antwerp in the Champions League gameweek six.

They have all but secured first place, and only a miracle from Porto or Shakhtar Donetsk could take their top spot away tonight. And as such, Xavi has chosen to rotate heavily ahead of the Valencia clash on Sunday.

Inaki Pena retains his spot in goal in the absence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and will be screened by Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen in central defence, while Ronald Araujo has been rested.

Meanwhile, Hector Fort receives his debut for Barcelona starting as the right-back. The 17-year-old will partner Alejandro Balde, who returns to the starting lineup after three weeks of staying on the bench.

There are changes in midfield as well. Captain Sergi Roberto gets his third start of the season after a while on the sidelines, playing as one of the interiors, while Fermin Lopez flanks the other side of the trident.

Oriol Romeu will be acting as the lone pivot, starting his first game since the 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano after the international break.

Xavi has decided not to rest Robert Lewandowski after a series of underwhelming performances, while Ferran Torres takes charge on the left-flank. 16-year-old Lamine Yamal is set to play his sixth Champions League game of his career already.