Barcelona vs Liverpool: Expected Starting XI for Champions League semi-final first leg
Liverpool stand in the way of a place in the final for Barcelona for the first time since 2015.
Barcelona were finally able to end their Champions League quarter-final curse with a 4-0 aggregate victory over Manchester United to book their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2015. However, they are up against Liverpool, who are the toughest side left in the competition and have the attacking tools to pose plenty of problems, especially in transition, as well a strong defence marshalled by Virgil Van Dijk.
These two legs are likely to be Barcelona’s toughest challenge of the season, but their reward, if they are able to get past this, is a final against either Tottenham or Ajax who are far from heavyweights in Europe, although they will still pose their own specific problems. Wrapping up the league title against Levante in the previous match has certainly helped their preparation for these two ties, as Ernesto Valverde can afford to rest his key players against Celta Vigo in the match sandwiched inbetween.
Expected Starting 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
Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi will return to the starting XI after only being used as substitutes against Levante. Arturo Vidal is well-suited to breaking up counters and matching the intensity of Liverpool’s midfield, but Ernesto Valverde is likely to opt for Arthur due to the control he brings and the connection he provides to the front three in order to keep them heavily involved.
Philippe Coutinho has played well in recent games, but Dembele is likely to start because of how he will force Trent Alexander-Arnold to track back, which will help nullify the threat of the full-back, otherwise, the French winger will have plenty of space to run into which is when he is at his most dangerous.
Suarez’ experience will be pivotal in opening up space for Messi to work his magic in by dragging defenders away through his intelligent movement and linking up play in the final third. Much has been made of Van Dijk’s brilliance this season, but he will have his work cut out trying to shut down Messi; the Argentine has faced plenty of talented defenders during his career and they often end up on the losing side with their reputation somewhat diminished.
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Semedo is better suited to dealing with the threat of Sadio Mane — and the overlapping danger of Andrew Robertson — than Sergi Roberto due to his immense 1v1 ability and powers of recovery. Alba will be key in testing the left flank, along with Dembele, to see whether Alexander-Arnold can deal with his rapid runs in behind the defence. Pique and Lenglet will have to be switched on at all times in order to nullify the well-timed runs and interplay of Liverpool’s front three.