Barcelona team news: Barca will host Manchester United for the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal at Camp Nou. We take a look at their predicted line up for the clash.
Barcelona might have played their second-string side against Huesca, but many believe that the side’s performance was below-par throughout the game. They were forced to play out a goalless draw by the bottom-placed side in the league.
However, Ernesto Valverde’s side would aim to come back to winning ways on Tuesday night. Barcelona will take on Manchester United in the second leg of the Champions League.
The Catalan giants are wary of United’s threat ahead of the clash. Solskjaer’s men pulled out a stunning comeback in the previous round against PSG, when the side overturned a two-goal deficit in the second leg.
While players like Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique have acknowledged the threat, Valverde would aim to negate any possibility of a United comeback in the game. We take a look at Barcelona’s best-possible line up against Manchester United.
Barcelona team news: Predicted line up vs Manchester United:
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The Barcelona goalkeeper didn’t face much trouble in the first leg at Old Trafford, as none of the shot was on the target. Valverde will pin his hopes on Ter Stegen to deny a repeat of the PSG game as Manchester United will arrive at Barcelona with the intention of pushing Barca at back-foot with early goals.
Defence: Semedo, Lenglet, Pique, Alba
Barcelona’s defensive back-line is expected to be retained from the first-leg of the tie. Gerard Pique was impressive against Manchester United at Camp Nou, as he made key interceptions and tackles to keep the host side at bay.
Jordi Alba, meanwhile, will look to offer more up-front as Barcelona, like Manchester United, will aim to finish the game as early as possible.
Midfield: Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur
Sergio Busquets was lucky to escape a red card in the first leg, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer voiced his rather strong opinions on the midfielder’s performance after the game. The Manchester United boss stated that Busquets shouldn’t be playing the second leg.
Rakitic and Arthur failed to create enough opportunities due to a compact defensive performance from McTominay and Fred, but remain the key for Barcelona.
Forward: Messi, Suarez, Dembele
Ousmane Dembele could be back in the starting line up for Barcelona as the Catalan giants host the game on Tuesday night. The Frenchman was involved in the match against Huesca, where he started alongisde Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will also return to the side.
Barcelona predicted line up vs Manchester United:
Ter Stegen; Semedo, Lenglet, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur; Messi, Suarez, Dembele
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You can read the predicted line up for Manchester United here.
