Barcelona vs Manchester United: Expected Starting XI for second leg
The Catalans host Manchester United with a 1-0 lead to defend from the first leg.
Barcelona were uncharacteristically sloppy at Old Trafford with a number of moves breaking down due to poor passes and sloppy touches, and the rhythm of their attacking play suffered because of this. However, they were still able to grab an away goal through the vision of Sergio Busquets, the magic of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez’s predatory finishing. Manchester United were full of life and hard to break down but looked toothless in attack.
Playing at Camp Nou is a different prospect altogether, though, as Barcelona are a juggernaut at home with only one loss there all season, as well as only losing once there in Europe since 2010. Ernesto Valverde rested key players such as Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic at the weekend, so they will come into this match fresh, unlike last time when they had just faced a gruelling test against Atletico Madrid.
Expected XI (4-3-3)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba
Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Arthur Melo
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele
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Ter Stegen, Dembele, Arthur and Alba were the only players to feature against Huesca — with the last two coming on as substitutes — so this will be a well-rested team coming into this match. Barcelona are in the ideal position to end their three years of struggle in Europe, so there should be no excuses for this match. Anything but qualification to the next round should be seen as a massive failure as United are a side they should be more than capable of beating.
Dembele is fully fit after returning from injury — and starting against Huesca — which should see him slot into the starting XI in Philippe Coutinho’s place. The French international provides a different kind of threat for the United defence to deal with due to his danger in wide areas and his 1v1 ability, so they can’t afford to play too compact, which opens up space for Messi and others.
The front three could also rotate depending on if Messi wants to move into central areas, with Suarez moving to the left-wing and Dembele shifting to the right-wing, which suits him better. Therefore, Semedo and Dembele could cause havoc down the right flank with their combinations, trickery, quick feet and rapid pace.
Pique was the best player in the first leg and Lenglet was a reliable partner alongside him, so United will find them to break down, although they will have to be wary of quick counters utilising the pace of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial among others. Jordi Alba’s attacking runs will be key in getting behind the opposition defence to create openings whether that be alongside Dembele or Suarez.