90min

The Barcelona Lineup That Should Start Against Bayern Munich

By Charlie Stewart

A devastating first half performance saw Barcelona safely through to the next round of the Champions League
A devastating first half performance saw Barcelona safely through to the next round of the Champions League / David Ramos/Getty Images
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Barcelona face Bayern Munich on Friday, with a place in the Champions League semi finals at stake.

It promises to be a very tough game for the Catalan giants, as they come up against a side who have won 26 of their last 27 games in all competitions and have not lost since December.

Quique Setien is under a lot of pressure at Barcelona
Quique Setien is under a lot of pressure at Barcelona / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

In contrast, it has been an underwhelming campaign for Quique Setien's side. They surrendered the league title to Real Madrid and exited the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage.

The Champions League is Setien's last shot at redemption, as the Blaugrana aim to win their first European title since 2015.

Here is the Barcelona side that could start against Bayern.

1. Goalkeeper and Defenders

Semedo's pace could be useful for Setien
Semedo's pace could be useful for Setien / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK) - The German is set for his 60th Champions League appearance in a Barcelona shirt, and will come up against many of his international teammates.

Nelson Semedo (RB) - The pace of Serge Gnabry and Alphonso Davies down the left for Bayern will be a concern for Setien, so expect Semedo to start at right back instead of Sergi Roberto.

Gerard Pique (CB) - The 33-year old is still one of the best defenders in the world, and is just five games off 700 career appearances.

Clement Lenglet (CB) - The Frenchman's tenth-minute goal set Barcelona on their way to a relatively comfortable second leg victory against Napoli last time out.

Jordi Alba (LB) - The Spaniard's attacking intent is a notable feature of Barcelona's system, although it can leave them susceptible to counter-attacks.

2. Midfielders

De Jong looked back to his best against Napoli
De Jong looked back to his best against Napoli / David Ramos/Getty Images

Sergio Busquets (CM) - After missing the Napoli game through suspension, expect Busquets to make an immediate return to the starting lineup.

Frenkie de Jong (CM) - It has been a season of mixed success for the 23-year old, but he was on top form in the previous game, so he should keep his place.

Riqui Puig (CM) - Maybe it's a little early for the La Masia graduate to be starting against major footballing giants, but there is no doubt that Puig has a lot of talent, as he has shown since the restart.

3. Forwards

Griezmann has the opportunity to redeem himself after an underwhelming season
Griezmann has the opportunity to redeem himself after an underwhelming season / Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Lionel Messi (RW) - The Argentine will have good memories of his last Champions League tie against Bayern. His brace, which included an astonishing second goal, sunk the Bavarians in the first leg of the 2015 semi final.

Luis Suarez (ST) - The Uruguayan will be hoping to end an unwanted five-year long statistic: he has not scored a Champions League goal away from Camp Nou since September 2015.

Antoine Griezmann (LW) - The World Cup winner will be hoping to return to haunt Bayern Munich for a second time, after his goal at the Allianz Arena knocked the German giants out in the semi-finals in 2016.