Barcelona host Premier League champions Chelsea at the Nou Camp on Wednesday for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash.
The Blaugrana have the advantage in this tie, thanks to a 75th minute of Lionel Messi strike. That goal tilted the tie in Barcelona’s favour and as things stand, even a 0-0 scoreline tonight will be enough for them to seal a spot in a quarterfinals when Ernesto Valverde’s men host Chelsea at Camp Nou.
As per the squad list released by Barcelona’s official site, Ernesto Valverde has only one key regular player missing in the form of Nelson Semedo, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Phillipe Coutinho is ineligible to feature after representing Liverpool earlier in the campaign, while Denis Suarez and Yerry Mina are out injured as well.
Ernesto Valverde is expected to make two major changes to the side that started in last week’s 0-2 victory against Malaga, but Barcelona are expected to start in the same 4-3-3 formation and not the 4-4-2 that has been used for a majority of the season.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto are all expected to retain their places in the starting XI, with Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Paulinho making up the midfield. Andres Iniesta may not start, as he has just returned from injury.
Speaking on whether the Barcelona captain would lead his side out tonight, Ernesto Valverde said in his pre-match press conference: “We’ll see today how Iniesta is. Of course, it’s a very important game with a lot on the line. But you have to be hundred percent fit. I will speak with him later on.”
Ousmane Dembele is expected to start ahead of the Spaniard, as a part of a front three. Valverde could also deploy him in a midfield four, with the Frenchman on the far left. He will join Lionel Messi who will likely set up shop on the right wing, with Luis Suarez leading the line.
