Ronald Koeman can again have Pedri and Sergi Roberto at his disposal during the Champions League match at Benfica on Wednesday. The midfielders return from physical discomfort and are therefore in the match selection published by Barcelona. Frenkie de Jong, who was suspended against Levante (3-0 win) on Sunday, is logically available again.
Pedri had to miss the last three games due to a thigh injury sustained against Bayern Munich (0-3 loss), while Roberto was missing against Levante due to illness. Thanks to the good news from the infirmary, Koeman sees the options in midfield being significantly increased. Against Levante, Barcelona played in midfield with just 17-year-old Gavi and 19-year-old Nico González, supported by veteran Sergio Busquets.
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It could be that Koeman chooses to use Roberto as a right-back, as Barcelona is thin in the fullbacks due to the absence of left back Jordi Alba. For the past two games, scar Mingueza, originally a centre-back, played as right-back, while right-footed Sergiño Dest acted as left-back.
Koeman has also been given an extra opportunity in the front thanks to the comeback of Ansu Fati. The eighteen-year-old winger made his comeback for Barcelona against Levante after a year of injury and setback, scoring in the ten minutes he was given. It is unlikely that Fati will start directly in the starting lineup against Benfica. “He was very tired on Monday,” Koeman said at the press conference on Tuesday. “Emotionally it has had a big impact. Today he trained without any problems. We are trying to give him more playing time. It depends on how he feels. I can’t say how many minutes he will play for every game.”
Koeman was asked at the press moment about Benfica’s most dangerous player, who made it to the group stage by dealing with PSV in the play-offs. “I don’t like to talk about players individually,” Koeman said. “They have very experienced players, like Jan Vertonghen. They have very efficient players in attack. We know where their strengths lie. We will guard against that by playing on possession. It is important to have the ball and, if who is lost, to have good organization in defence.”