Barcelona face their fourth Champions League clash of the season on Wednesday evening when they visit Serbian giants Red Star Belgrade.
Following a usual victory of the Catalan derby against Espanyol at the weekend, the Blaugrana have extended their advantage at the top of the League to nine points. The in-form side have now won six games on the bounce in all competitions under Hansi Flick.
A disappointing ten-man defeat to Monaco in their Champions League opener has been followed by impressive wins over Young Boys and Bayern Munich, with Flick perhaps tempted to rest some of his busy first-team squad in the Serbian capital this week
Here’s how Barcelona could line up on wednesday.
GK: Inaki Pena – Pena enjoyed a largely quiet afternoon over the weekend and will expect an equally quiet night on Wednesday. The Serbian team has averaged just 2.7 shots on goal per game Champions League to date
RB: Jules Kounde – Kounde was rested at the weekend when youngster Hector Fort replaced him in the win over Espanyol. The Frenchman should be more active in Red Star’s half than his own.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – The 17-year-old will not have experienced many environments more hostile than the Rajko Mitic Stadium on a European night. However, the centre-back is rarely shaken on the big stage.
CB: Inigo Martinez – Martínez has been in impressive form for Barça, taking advantage of injuries to Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen. The experienced defender has been the perfect foil for fellow defender Cubarsi.
LB: Alexandre Balde – The left-back has proven to be a threat in the final third in recent weeks and will be keen to make it three assists in a row when they visit Serbia. He has started the last six games for the Blaugrana.
DM: Gavi – Having passed just shy a year asideGavi could make his first start since last November on Wednesday evening. The youngster has made an understandable presence in the equation with several short cameos so far.
DM: Marc Casado – Casado was outstanding in the win over Espanyol, pulling strings from deep and displaying his impressive training at La Masia. Suddenly, Barça are well stocked in midfield with Frenkie de Jong back in form.
RW: Lamine Yamal – The turbo-charged winger has scored or assisted in all four games since the international break in October and looks likely to contribute again in the final third in Belgrade.
AM: Fermín López – Olmo put in a masterful performance at the weekend but Flick will be keen to keep the summer signing well-rested after an injury lay-off earlier this term. López could enter the fray on Wednesday and has been reliable when this mandate has been called.
LW: Ansu Fati – Minutes have been hard to come by for Fati this season, having only started in the 5-1 win at Sevilla. Raphinha is in scintillating form but could be rested for his younger team-mate in midweek.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Lewandowski had scored five in three games before his weekend clean sheet at Espanyol. This is bad news for Red Star, who are likely to feel his wrath as a result.
