How will Barcelona line up against Bayern?

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It’s quarter-final time!

Barcelona take on Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Friday in Lisbon.

It’s a one-off game between two of Europe’s biggest clubs, although Barca head into the fixture as the underdogs against the German double-winners.

There’s been plenty of talk already about how Barcelona will line-up, so let’s take a look at which players Quique Setien will start at the Estadio da Luz.

Defence

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There are likely to be few surprises in defence against Bayern. Marc-Andre ter Stegen will start in goal and may have a point to prove after some dubious comments from Bayern’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in the build-up.

Nelson Semedo and Jordi Alba are expected to take up their usual spots at full-back, while Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet will start in central defence. Ronald Araujo is available as back-up, but there’s no Samuel Umtiti in the squad due to injury.

Midfield

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This is where it gets interesting with Setien having plenty of options to choose from with both Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal back from suspension.

Sport reckon Setien could go all Ernesto Valverde on us and play 4-4-2 with a midfield of Frenkie de Jong, Busquets, Vidal and Sergi Roberto against Bayern.

It’s a midfield packed full of experience which may offer the defence a bit more protection, but the lack of pace and creativity in there may be a problem going the other way.

There’s always the chance that Riqui Puig could get his first start of the Champions League but that seems unlikely given he did not see a single minute against Napoli.

Attack

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If Setien does go with a midfield four that’s likely to spell bad news for Antoine Griezmann who could find himself back on the bench for another crucial match.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are virtually guaranteed to start, while Ansu Fati is another possibility in attack.

And then there’s Ousmane Dembele. The Frenchman is not quite fully fit, but in the squad, and may have a slim chance of some minutes if Setien remembers he’s allowed to use subs.

Probable starting XI: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Roberto, Busquets, De Jong, Vidal; Messi, Suarez.

How do you think Barcelona should line up against Bayern? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!

Source: barcablaugranes.com