Barcelona predicted lineup vs Napoli - Champions League
- Barcelona take on Napoli with their Champions League round of 16 tie in the balance
- Xavi is without three key midfield stars
- Raphinha should be available despite picking up injury vs Mallorca
A quarter-final place is at stake when Barcelona host Napoli in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday night.
Barca have drifted into utter functionality in recent weeks, but they've continuously found ways of getting the job done without particularly impressing since Xavi revealed that he'll be stepping down at the end of the season.
The La Liga outfit still have a whole host of injuries, with their woes on this front worsening since their 1-1 draw in Naples three weeks ago.
Here's how Barcelona could line up against Napoli for their decisive second leg clash on Tuesday.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Napoli (4-3-3)
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen - The clean sheets are beginning to rack up for Barca, and it's no surprise that their uptick on this front has come since Ter Stegen returned from injury.
RB: Jules Kounde - Kounde produced one of his best performances of the season in the first leg, but he'll have his hands full again on Tuesday against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
CB: Ronald Araujo - After serving a one-game suspension in La Liga, Araujo will return to the Barca backline in midweek.
CB: Inigo Martinez - Martinez's eagerness proved costly in the first leg as he allowed Victor Osimhen to roll him before scoring. Still, Xavi will likely favour the experienced Spaniard over 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi.
LB: Joao Cancelo - Cancelo has been a near constant in the Barca team since joining the club. He's a valuable creative outlet down the left, but he'll also be tested by Matteo Politano in transition.
DM: Andreas Christensen - Perhaps Barca's improved defensive solidity is down to Christensen's inclusion in a midfield role? The Dane should continue in this function on Tuesday.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan - Gundogan came ever so close to giving Barca a 2-1 lead at the death in Naples. He so often turned up on occasions like these during the latter stages of his Man City career.
CM: Fermin Lopez - Raphinha was favoured in midfield on Friday night, but the Brazilian is more likely to appear off the bench on Tuesday. Thus, Fermin could get a huge opportunity to impress.
RW: Lamine Yamal - The teenager was the hero last time out as Barca squeezed past Mallorca. Xavi has almost been forced to keep the youngster in the team.
ST: Robert Lewandowski - La Liga's February Player of the Month produced a vintage moment in the first leg to give Barca the lead. He's got a few more Champions League goals in him.
LW: Joao Felix - There may be a spot up for grabs in Barca's attack with Felix flattering to deceive after a bright start to his Barca career. Still, the Portuguese international is more likely to start over Vitor Roque or the potentially returning Ferran Torres.
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