Barcelona look to continue their history-making perfect start to the season and make it two wins out of two in the Champions League when they travel to Turkey for a tough League Phase test away at Galatasaray.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Tuesday’s battle:
Defense
Barça cruised past Getafe at the weekend and Flick used his starting lineup and substitution choices to rotate his squad and make sure his best players are fully fit for the first of three massive away games in a row.
The coach has a (good) selection headache at the back with both Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia playing very well at the weekend and Pau Cubarsí ready to return to the lineup after getting a rest against Getafe, and we think all three will start with Kounde at right-back and Eric picked ahead of Gerard Martín as Cubarsí’s partner.
João Cancelo didn’t feature at the weekend to make sure he’d be fully fit for this one, and he’ll start ahead of Xavi Espart at left-back.
Midfield
Flick made sure to limit the minutes of Pedri and Fermín López at the weekend to ensure they’d be ready to start this one, and we think Rodri will be the anchor behind them and reunite what has been Barça’s best midfield trio so far this season. Dani Olmo will be a weapon off the bench, with Gavi also available for second half minutes.
Attack
Gabriel Jesus had a strong showing in his first start for the club in place of the injured Raphinha, and will be hoping for a second straight start as the captain has already been ruled out of the trip to Turkey.
But we think Flick will choose a different front three combination, with Lamine Yamal on the right, Karim Adeyemi on the left, and Anthony Gordon as the striker.
Gordon was very good for Newcastle in the Champions League in that position last season, and he’d be part of a front three full of pace, skill and mobility to bring as much chaos to the Galatasaray defense as possible.
Possible XI: Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Eric, Cancelo; Fermín, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Gordon, Adeyemi (4-3-3)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Galatasaray? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!