Ferencvaros vs Barcelona: Expected starting XI for Champions League clash

Barcelona's Danish forward Martin Braithwaite. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona's Danish forward Martin Braithwaite. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Martin Braithwaite of FC Barcelona scores his team’s third goal against Dynamo Kyiv. (Photo by Stanislav Vedmid/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Martin Braithwaite of FC Barcelona scores his team’s third goal against Dynamo Kyiv. (Photo by Stanislav Vedmid/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

Forwards

Assuming Koeman continues opting for the 4-2-3-1 formation, there is plenty of room to maneuver up front.

Martin Braithwaite has scored three times in his last two games and should feature once again. His performances warrant more playing time and Koeman seems to be giving it to him.

As far as those behind him, Phillipe Coutinho will play behind Braithwaite as every opportunity will be given to him to try to find his form. He was struggling before he was sidelined with an injury and is yet to find the form he showed early in the season.

Francisco Trincão and Ousmane Dembélé on the wings should round out the starting eleven for Koeman. They had cameos in Barcelona’s last match and are in line for more playing time. Particularly the Portuguese who is eager to show his best form.

Despite improving following his interview with Jorge Valdano, Antoine Griezmann, assuming he isn’t left out altogether, is likely to start from the bench as he did in Kyiv. Again, in an effort to rest him.

dark. Next. Barcelona to conisder to ditch Lionel Messi for the next Cristiano Ronaldo

Squad rotation is going to be important given the number of games. Barcelona already have their share of injuries and in a game they can afford to rest some of their stars, Koeman will do so as they look to improve their league form.