How will Barcelona line up against Bayern?

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Ronald Koeman has lots of injuries to contend with

Barcelona kick off their 2021-22 Champions League campaign on Tuesday at the Camp Nou with a visit from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

It’s a tough test for the hosts and will bring back harsh memories of that result in the quarter-finals of the tournament back in August 2020.

Much has changed for both teams since then of course and both will also be keen to get their European campaigns started with a good win.

Let’s look at how Barca might line up against the Bavarian giants.

Defense

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Koeman has injury problems at full-back with Sergino Dest struggling with a sprained ankle picked up on international duty, while Jordi Alba is also thought to have a niggle.

Report suggest Alba should make it but Dest may miss out and be replaced either by Oscar Mingueza or Sergi Roberto.

There are also whispers that Koeman could switch back to a three-man central defense against Bayern Munich and he does have plenty of center-back options.

Gerard Pique is expected to be fit after calf trouble and seems destined to start with Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti also available.

Midfield

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Koeman has far less headaches in midfield where he can welcome a refreshed Pedri back after an overdue break. The Spaniard should go straight back into the starting XI which is likely to be bad news for Sergi Roberto.

The 29-year-old has started the season in midfield and popped up with two goals and assist in his first three games. However, it seems likely he’ll drop out with Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong joining Pedri in midfield.

Attack

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Barca have more problems in attack with Martin Braithwaite having joined Sergio Aguero, Ansu Fati, and Ousmane Dembele on the injured list.

Philippe Coutinho is fit and available to make his first appearance of 2021 against a side he knows well from his loan spell at Bayern.

Memphis Depay is guaranteed to start and is in red-hot form, while Luuk de Jong could get a debut and Yusuf Demir will be hoping to make his first Champions League appearance for Barca.

Possible XI: Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Araujo, Piqué, Alba; Busquets, Frenkie, Pedri; Coutinho, De Jong, Memphis.

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