Trainer Ronald Koeman has released Barcelona’s line-up for Tuesday evening’s home game against Bayern Munich in the group stage of the Champions League. Luuk de Jong has a basic place and therefore officially makes his debut for the Catalans. The attacker forms a duo with fellow international Memphis Depay in the vanguard. At the Camp Nou, the first whistle sounds at 9 p.m.
Due to various injuries against Bayern, Koeman will not have Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero, Ansu Fati and Martin Braithwaite, who will have surgery on his knee later this week. As a result, only De Jong, Depay and the only eighteen-year-old Yusuf Demir remain in attacking terms. Fortunately for Koeman and Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho has since recovered from a lingering knee injury. The Brazilian can play as a hanging wing striker and could therefore be an extra option in the attack as a substitute.
De Jong’s debut! @LuukdeJong9 #BarcaBayern pic.twitter.com/Sxd0vCkeC4
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 14, 2021
Koeman opts for a 5-3-2 system on Tuesday evening, with Frenkie de Jong starting in midfield together with Pedri and Sergio Busquets. At the back of the home side, the flanks will be occupied by Sergi Roberto (right) and the fully fit Jordi Alba (left). Central to Barcelona’s rear, Gerard Pique returns from injury. The 34-year-old mandekker is assisted by Ronald Araújo and Eric García. Marc-André ter Stegen is under the bar with the home team. Sergiño Dest recently suffered a sprained ankle with the United States national team and is therefore not available from the start. The right back is on the bench.
The most notable name in Nagelsmann’s starting eleven is Jamal Musiala. Last Saturday, eighteen-year-old right winger came in for the injured Serge Gnabry in the game against RB Leipzig (1-4 win), and managed to score in the second company. Robert Lewandowski also left the field early in the Bundesliga game, but the goalkeeper has been found fit enough to start in the starting line-up. Furthermore, Nagelsmann has no surprises in store.
It is the first time that the two top clubs have met in a European context since the memorable match in the quarterfinals of the Champions League in 2020. Bayern was supreme in the Camp Nou more than a year ago and managed to win with no less than 2-8. The team of then coach Hansi Flick eventually conquered the billion-dollar ball thanks to a 0-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final. Flick, now national coach of Germany, has handed over the baton to Julian Nagelsmann. Bayern will close the group stage on December 8 with a home game against Barcelona.
Barcelona line-up: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Araújo, Pique, Garcia, Alba; Pedri, Busquets, F. de Jong; L. de Jong, Depay.
Bayern Munich line-up:Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Muller, Goretzka; Musiala, Lewandowski, Sane.