Barcelona predicted lineup vs Shakhtar Donetsk - Champions League
- Barcelona back in Champions League action after beating Athletic Club 1-0 on Sunday
- Xavi still without key figures like Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong
- Barca have won their two Group H games so far without conceding
Barcelona's quest for a sixth Champions League triumph and their first since 2015 continues when they take on Shakhtar Donetsk on Matchday 3 of the 2023/24 competition.
The Catalan giants squeaked past Athletic Club 1-0 on Sunday thanks to Marc Guiu's late winner, with manager Xavi dealing with a number of significant injuries as he chases success on both domestic and European fronts.
Will Xavi dip his hand into the pool of La Masia talent again to dig his side out of a tricky spot? Here's the side the manager could pick on Wednesday.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Shakhtar Donetsk (4-3-3)
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen - Has kept three clean sheets in his last four club games, the blots on his record being two efforts from Bryan Zaragoza in the 2-2 draw with Granada.
RB: Joao Cancelo - Told young Guiu he owed the rest of the squad a McDonald's meal after his winner on Sunday.
CB: Ronald Araujo - Could come into the starting lineup for Inigo Martinez if Xavi deems him fit enough.
CB: Andreas Christensen - Withdrawn after an hour of action on Sunday but should make his second Champions League start of the season.
LB: Alejandro Balde - Shook off an injury scare sustained on international duty to start against Athletic and continues to look up to the task of being Jordi Alba's long-term successor.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan - Still searching for his first goal with Barca, having displayed his goal threat from midfield consistently during his Manchester City career.
CM: Oriol Romeu - Was below par against Athletic but is expected to retain his spot with a lack of alternatives available to Xavi.
CM: Fermin Lopez - Played in attack and was the player substituted for Guiu before the 17-year-old struck Barca's winner on Sunday. May drop into midfield with Gavi suspended, Frenkie de Jong still out and Pedri on the edges of full fitness.
RW: Lamine Yamal - Dropped to the bench last time out but Yamal should feature from the outset. Can break the record for the youngest Champions League goalscorer ever with a strike here.
ST: Ferran Torres - Barca's central point in attack with Robert Lewandowski sidelined, 23-year-old Torres has ten goals in 23 Champions League appearances; two for Valencia, four for Man City and four for Barca.
LW: Joao Felix - Provided the assist for Sunday's winner and Barca will be fully expecting another important contribution from the Portugal international.
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