CL: Round 1: FC Barcelona - Viktoria Plzen 5-1

It's very important to start CL campaign with a (convincing) win against the worst team in the group. Especially with another "easier" game against Cadiz coming on weekend some rotations should happen in next two games before we face Bayern. But shouldn't really go into a full Lucho mode and change 7-8 players between two games. 3-4 ideally and 5 at most.

Would go with something like that tonight (assuming reports about Garcia, Araujo, Gavi and Dembele being rested are correct)

MATS; Roberto, Christensen, Kounde, Balde; FDJ, Busi, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewy, Ansu


changes in the lineup compared to last game


Then on Saturday:

MATS; Roberto, Araujo, Christensen, Alba; FDJ, Busi, Gavi; Dembele, Lewy, Memphis/Ferran

with both Alonso and Bellerin possibly coming on in 2nd half.


Would like Kessie to start one of those games as well but think he'll have to wait for his opportunity to start maybe for Elche game or more likely until October when we'll have that run of 9 games in a month and everyone fit and available to play should get minutes if Xavi is smart.

Expect Busi and Lewy to start both games but maybe be subbed out if we have a good result to get some rest before Bayern. And then go with our possible best XI (at least in Xavi's mind, I don't necessarily agree with that) in Munich.

MATS; Kounde, Araujo, Garcia, Balde; Pedri, Busi, Gavi; Dembele, Lewy, Raphinha

The problem is Barcelona with new signings is still in building process so too much rotation before Bayern can be a bad idea. 5 changes during the match is blessing tho.

Messi983 said:

Would go with something like that tonight (assuming reports about Garcia, Araujo, Gavi and Dembele being rested are correct)

MATS; Roberto, Christensen, Kounde, Balde; FDJ, Busi, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewy, Ansu

Click to expand...

Excactly what I have had in mind. That would have to do it vs Plzen.

Win should be enough, easy win by 2 goals and wrap it up. Next tuesday is fucking war

Just win. Dropping points would be tragic.

Must win. Don't play with too many rotations.

Ansu and Alba will apparently start.

This should be a 5-0 easily.

All the changes I asked for, good stuff xavi.

More rotations than expected but good lineup anyway.

[MENTION=21238]barca[/MENTION]centre
Bar?a lineup: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Alba, De Jong, Pedri, Kessie , Dembele, Lewandowski and Ansu.#fcblive

Great lineup, apart from the rat starting at LB

Kessie having his deserved start
Busi rested
Pique as far from the lineup as possible
Dembel-Lewa-Ansu a trident I wanted to see since long time

I don't expect easy game with this lineup at all.

Lewandowski seems to love Fati very much. When they play, he tries to play for him. That goal, it was a pass for Fati.

If he fati, he would have turn to him after fati set him up for the goal.