Dembele, Adama start in a 4-3-3: How Barcelona could line up against Eintracht Frankfurt

After an excruciating clash against Sevilla at the Camp Nou, Barcelona turn their attention towards the Europa League. The task at hand is in Germany as Eintracht Frankfurt get ready to host Xavi’s men for the quarter-finals first leg.

After having almost his entire squad fit and read before the international break, Xavi’s team have been struck with injuries lately.

According to the squad list released earlier today, as many as seven first-team players are missing, including Dani Alves, who is not registered for the Europa League.

Moreover, players who were active during the international break will need a rest, especially with a jam-packed schedule for Barcelona. The team has to play six more games this month, which could determine their fate in the summer transfer window as well.

As a consequence, choosing the starting lineup becomes quite the task as well. In a quarter-finals clash like this one, the ‘difference-makers’ need to start, but with enough rotation to get the team to shore without any complications.

The starters

The complications start in attack after yet another poor display of finishing from Ferran Torres against Sevilla. The Spaniard has multiple chances to put the game to bed but could not get past Yassine Bounou.

That, coupled with the minutes he played for Spain in the international break, could mean that he is replaced with Adama Traore in the lineup. The Wolverhampton Wanderers winger will start on the right-wing, however.

Ousmane Dembele received a standing ovation on the weekend, and there is little to no doubt over his place in the XI. He gets the nod to start on the right while his Borussia Dortmund teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang takes his place as the striker.

There is an abundance of creativity in the attack, and therefore, we can expect a midfield that provides more goal-threat.

Frenkie de Jong and Nico Gonzalez have the tendency to go into the box to feed off of scraps and crosses, and could partner incredibly well with Dembele and Traore on the wings.

Sergio Busquets should start as the defensive midfielder, hoping to build on his impressive form under Xavi.

The biggest question for Xavi is who takes the reins at right-back. Oscar Mingueza did well in that role against Napoli in the first leg, and is expected to provide width from the back. Jordi Alba continues in his role at left-back.

Gerard Pique was fantastic once against Sevilla and will likely start in the heart of the defence alongside Ronald Araujo, who is expected to pen a new contract deal with Barcelona very soon.

The Uruguayan’s presence on the night alongside Mingueza should help Barcelona in coasting the Filip Kostic’s danger from the flank.

One lapse of concentration from Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the dying minutes on the weekend almost gave away Barcelona’s lead. However, he was able to hold strong and recover with a clutch save. With no able deputy in sight, he starts in goal.

Barcelona predicted XI:

Dembele · Aubameyang · Traore
de Jong · Busquets · Nico
Alba · Pique · Araujo · Mingueza
ter Stegen

The Bench

Should Pedri and Gavi be benched for this game, it is almost certain that they will come on in every scenario possible. The same goes for Ferran Torres, whose off-the-ball movement is invaluable to Barcelona.

Alejandro Balde has been called up by Xavi after a long time and could get a few minutes off the bench for one of the fullbacks should Barcelona take a healthy lead early in the game.

Eric Garcia or Clement Lenglet in for one of the centre-backs would not be entirely out of the question either since they both need ample rest ahead of the business end of the season.