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Barcelona vs Inter Milan: Expected Starting XI for home European clash

By Chiranjib Ghosh

FC Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde during the Liga match between Getafe FC and FC Barcelona at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on September 28, 2019 in Getafe, Spain.
FC Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde during the Liga match between Getafe FC and FC Barcelona at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on September 28, 2019 in Getafe, Spain. /
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Barcelona need to finally kick off their European campaign properly

After an undeserved draw against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League opener, Barcelona will take on undefeated Serie A leaders Inter Milan at the Camp Nou. Ernesto Valverde will have his work cut out for him.

The Basque coach has led Barça to an inconsistent start to the season, and the Blaugrana have already fallen to two humiliating losses in the La Liga. But the Champions League season needs to get off to a flier if Barça are to have a successful season.

Expected Starting XI (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Marc-André ter Stegen
Right-back: Nélson Semedo
Centre-back(right): Gerard Piqué
Centre-back(left): Samuel Umtiti
Left-back: Junior Firpo
Central playmaker(right): Arturo Vidal
Holding midfielder: Frenkie de Jong
Central playmaker(left): Arthur
Right winger: Antoine Griezmann
Centre-forward: Luis Suárez
Left winger: Ansu Fati

After a series of dazzling performances, Marc-André ter Stegen will be called upon to save Barça yet again against Inter. In defence, Nélson Semedo should be returning to first-team action after a lacklustre display from Sergi Roberto in the 2-0 win over Getafe.

Gerard Piqué is the constant in Valverde’s side, while Clément Lenglet should make way for Samuel Umtiti. The young French centre-back has a downturn in fortunes recently, which culminated in a red card against Getafe.

Umtiti, on the other hand, can relish the big-match occasion and try to distinguish himself after a prolonged spell on the bench. Valverde should give Junior Firpo an opportunity to build some momentum after the former Betis man found the back of the net.

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In midfield, Arturo Vidal can provide the muscle against a midfield consisting of playmakers like Stefano Sensi and Marcelo Brozović. Frenkie de Jong will also keep his place, while Arthur can also continue his brilliant run of form.

But the attack will worry Valverde the most, as has been the case for most of the season. Antoine Griezmann will keep his place despite consistently poor displays, while Luis Suárez is a natural selection. But who will Valverde go with for the other spot in the trident?

Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembélé have been both involved in training recently, and could be fit enough to make it into the starting lineup against the Nerazzurri. But due to their susceptibility to injuries, Valverde is likely to keep on the bench.

It seems that Ansu Fati will get another opportunity to make his mark on the European stage, after failing to impress against Dortmund. But this time, it will be an even bigger test as Inter’s defensive lineup is among the finest in Europe.

As for substitutions, Valverde has shown a tendency to bring on Jordi Alba if the starting left-back struggles. That is a clear possibility against Inter, given Firpo’s inexperience. But Dembélé is a clear candidate to come off the bench because of his pace.

Next. Piqué: "Preseason is cause for our troubles". dark

Lionel Messi would be an emergency substitution, as would Sergio Busquets.

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