With a great start to life in La Liga, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will now look to get their act together for another competition altogether. Unlike La Liga, however, this is one competition where La Blaugrana have struggled in recent seasons. For Barcelona, the upcoming game against AS Monaco will be in the UEFA Champions League.
However, this new-look format is unlike anything seen before and will test the endurance and depths of the participating teams to their extreme limits. Moreover, with Monaco being a side that has already bested Barcelona before the start of the official season, Hansi Flick’s team will be out for revenge.
Here is how Barcelona could line up for the game.
Expected Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
The German goalkeeper will once again be the man picked by Hansi Flick to defend the Barcelona goal. While he was quite close to getting a clean sheet in his previous game, a late goal from Girona kept him away from getting that satisfaction. Against Monaco, however, he will hope to make sure that he can get one again.
Right-back: Jules Kounde
One of the most in-form right-backs in the world right now, Jules Kounde has secured his role as Barça’s first-choice right-back. The Frenchman provides great defensive cover and that is exactly the kind of balance that this team needs.
Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi
Another player whose place in this team feels secured, both because of his quality and the injury crisis, is Pau Cubarsi. The youngster’s ball-playing ability and tendency to break through opposition lines could be crucial for the team.
Centre-back: Inigo Martinez
A veteran defender who continues to be the leading voice in this young Barcelona back-line, Inigo Martinez is a player who has earned Hansi Flick’s trust through his performances. Ultimately, the German coach’s insistence in regards to his registration early on in the season continues to pay off for the team.
Left-back: Alejandro Balde
The electric fullback has not had the opportunity to fully go haywire in any game with all the attacking potential that he has, but with this Barcelona team always looking for more avenues to attack, it would hardly be worthwhile to count him out for a game like this.
CDM: Eric Garcia
The surprise inclusion for this game could be Eric Garcia, given that the Spaniard was tested out as a part of the midfield in the last game against Girona. However, it will have to be seen if this is the route that Hansi Flick wants to go down or if he has other plans despite the precedent of having used the player in such a role in the last game.
CDM: Marc Casado
Naturally, with all the injuries and absent first-team midfielders, Marc Casado will have to be deployed by Hansi Flick once again. While it would not hurt to give the young midfielder some rest every now and then, the situation simply may not allow it given how crucial this game is for Barcelona.
RAM: Lamine Yamal
No words are needed to describe Lamine Yamal by now, but it must be said that he makes this Barcelona team look much more dangerous than they would look without him. His dribbling, maturity, composure, vision, and tendency to be in the right place at the right time are all just a few of the qualities that will make him a great asset for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona in this upcoming game.
CAM: Pedri
With a brilliant goal in the last game and a string of strong performances, Pedri is well and truly back to his best. The Barcelona midfielder conducts the team’s play through midfield with almost supernatural ease, but he may have to play in a more advanced role against Monaco due to the injuries to other players.
LAM: Raphinha
A man in great form right now, Raphinha will be crucial to helping Hansi Flick’s team operate to their best capacity. His work-rate and offensive contributions combine to make him as crucial as he is to this Barcelona team even when he does not have any direct goal contributions.
Centre-forward: Robert Lewandowski
The Polish ace remains the spearhead of this Barcelona attack and he continues to be trusted by Hansi Flick. While he may be leading the goalscoring charts in La Liga right now, Robert Lewandowski will want to have that same impact in the Champions League as well.
