Marcus Rashford and Frenkie de Jong will return to the Barcelona starting lineup when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Barcelona will be eager to return to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League when they lock horns with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. Hansi Flick has received a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marcus Rashford is fit and available to take on Chelsea after recovering from the illness that forced him to miss the game against Athletic Club this past weekend. Frenkie de Jong is also in the travelling squad after not being in the team for the league game due to suspension.
However, Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back), Gavi (knee), and Pedri (hamstring) are the only players in the treatment room. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick provided fitness updates on Rashford and Raphinha.
The Barcelona manager said, “We need to take things cautiously with him [Raphinha]. The most important thing is that he has come back following a relapse of his injury. We need to decide how many minutes he should play.”
“I’m very happy for Marcus. He’s back from a cold and he’s fine; I’ll decide tomorrow whether he starts or comes off the bench. But I’m happy to have him in the team, playing for Barça. I’ve followed him throughout his career and I’ve always been impressed by his quality and what he’s capable of in the box, and he’s showing that in Barcelona.”
“This change for him, in a new style of football, in Barcelona, with the great weather. For me, it’s incredible to see how he’s always smiling. It’s the atmosphere we have here, and it’s very good for him.”
Joan Garcia is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Chelsea on Tuesday. The backline will feature Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Balde.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Marc Casado and Frenkie de Jong in the double pivot, with Fermin Lopez reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the away side against Chelsea, with Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal being the two wide attackers.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Joan Garcia; Kounde, Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, de Jong; Yamal, Lopez, Rashford; Lewandowski