Barcelona’s line-up for the Champions League match against Benfica has been announced. Ronald Koeman opts for three Dutch internationals with Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong and uses a 3-5-2 formation. The match between Benfica and Barcelona starts at 9 p.m. in Estádio da Luz. Barcelona lost the first group match 0-3 to Bayern Munich, while Benfica drew 0-0 at Dynamo Kiev.
Ousmane Dembélé, Pedri, Martin Braithwaite, Sergio Aguero, Jordi Alba and Alex Balde have been sidelined for some time due to injuries. Sergi Roberto and Pedri just returned to the match selection. The defender was missing Sunday against Levante (3-0 win) due to stomach flu, while the midfielder suffered from his thigh. They both have a starting spot against Benfica. Moreover, Frenkie de Jong is available again; he was missing against Levante due to a league suspension. Gavi and Nico González lose their starting place.
Ansu Fati had a good substitute against Levante, by scoring the last goal of the match. However, he was sidelined 323 with a serious knee injury and Koeman will not let him start against Benfica. However, the vanguard has changed. As Barcelona play 3-5-2, Philippe Coutinho disappears from the front line, which is now formed by Luuk de Jong and Depay. Koeman is currently suspended in LaLiga, but is sidelined in the Champions League.
The duel with Benfica is of great importance to Koeman. In the past two weeks, the pressure on the trainer has increased considerably and potential successors are already being discussed. Tuesday said Fabrizio Romano in his Lord We Gopodcast that the next two games of Barcelona are crucial for Koeman. It concerns the duels with Benfica and Atlético Madrid (LaLiga). “If those matches are won, he may have a chance to stay on. If not, there is a good chance that he will leave the club.”
Line-up Benfica: Vlachodimos; Otamendi, Vertonghen, Verissimo; Lazaro, Joao Mario, Weigl, Grimaldo; Rafa Silva, Darwin Nunez, Yaremchuk.
Barcelona line-up: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Araujo, Pique, Eric García, Dest: Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri; Depay, Luke de Jong.