Argentinian duo Sergio Aguero and Lionel Messi are likely to lead their respective front-lines as Barcelona host Manchester City in Champions League.
Lionel Messi came off the bench to score against Deportivo and the Argentine superstar is likely to be fit enough to be in the Barcelona starting eleven on Wednesday night. Luis Enrique, though, will still be without the services of defensive wide-men Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba.
The Spaniard preferred the French duo of Lucas Digne and Jeremy Mathieu as the replacements over the weekend but Aleix Vidal could be handed a rare start in place of Mathieu against Manchester City. Ter Stegen is likely to continue as the number 1 for the Catalan giants.
Luis Enrique has a difficult choice to make as to whether he is to keep Mascherano as Pique’s partner, with the pair keeping a clean sheet over the weekend, or prefer a more natural Samuel Umtiti in the Argentine’s place.
Sergio Aguero is set to be fit enough to lead the City front-line against Barcelona after coming on from the bench against Everton over the weekend. Citizens captain Vincent Kompany and French veteran Bacary Sagna are the only players likely to be unavailable at Guardiola’s disposal.
Read the match preview for Barcelona vs Manchester City here.
Nolito impressed against Everton and could be handed a start against his former club with Sterling likely to be on the other wing for Guardiola.
Sagna’s injury means an almost automatic deployment of Pablo Zabaleta as the right-back while doubt remains as to who Pep is likely to choose to partner John Stones at the centre of the defence. Fernandinho could be the surprise man to start in defence alongside Stones with the manager likely to risk the aforementioned in favour of dominance in possession.
The deployment of Fernandinho alongside Stones could make room for the trio of Silva, Gundogan and De Bruyne to co-exist in the midfield.
