Barcelona could lineup strongly against Juve in UEFA Champions League
Barcelona are back in action on Tuesday at the Camp Nou with Juventus the visitors in their final group game of the Champions League.
The Catalan giants head into the match fresh from a dismal defeat to Cadiz but three points clear of the Serie A champions and favorites to top Group G.
Barca will clinch first place unless they lose by three or more goals or by any two-goal margin other than 2-0 that will see Juve surpass them for the top spot.
Ronald Koeman is expected to make changes again to his side but could really do with a performance and a result after a tough weekend.
Defense
Koeman could decide to give Neto another run-out in goal after starting the Brazilian last time out against Ferencvaros and resting Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Ronald Araujo is back to full fitness after a hamstring injury and is expected to make his return to action alongside Clement Lenglet in central defence.
Sergino Dest should continue at right-back, while Junior Firpo is an option on the opposite side if Jordi Alba is given a breather.
Midfield
Miralem Pjanic has started every group game so far and looks set to continue that run against his former side. The only question is who will partner the 30-year-old in Koeman’s starting XI?
Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Carles Alena, and Riqui Puig are all fit and available for this one. According to Sport, Alena could be handed a rare start and the chance to impress by Koeman.
Attack
There will be no Ousmane Dembele against Juventus after the Frenchman picked up a hamstring problem against Cadiz, while Philippe Coutinho could be dropped after a poor performance on Saturday.
Pedri looks certain to return to the starting XI and will be pretty fresh after missing out on a starting spot recently. Francisco Trincao is an option out wide in Dembele’s absence and will be hoping for another Champions League start.
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Koeman also has decisions to make over Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Martin Braithwaite. All three failed to sparkle against Cadiz, although Griezmann and Braithwaite had been in good goalscoring form before the defeat.
Meanwhile, Messi has been rested for Barca’s last two Champions League matches but could start against Juventus. Koeman said before the win over Ferencvaros last time out it was his last chance to rest his captain for a while.
Possible XI: Neto; Dest, Araujo, Lenglet, Firpo; Pjanic, Alena; Trincao, Messi, Pedri; Griezmann.
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