Champions League: Barcelona’s possible starting lineup vs Viktoria Plzen
Xavi could name the following team for his side’s final Champions League game of the season.
Barcelona play their final Champions League game of the 2022-23 campaign on Tuesday having been dumped out of the competition. In a group with Bayern Munich, Inter and Viktoria Plzen, the LaLiga side failed to progress to the last 16, collecting only four points from their opening five games.
On the domestic front, an injury-time winner from Robert Lewandowski gave Barça the three points as they beat Valencia 1-0 at Mestalla on Saturday. Real Madrid could only draw at home to Girona on Sunday, meaning the Blaugrana are just a point off top spot.
Xavi spoke to the media ahead of his side’s final game in Group C. “It’s an important game for us. We want to end this competition with a good performance and continue our good form in the league,” he said.
“The match against Viktoria is also an important contest for players who play less minutes and for the youngsters. Every game is an opportunity. We have to win and finish this competition well. It’s very important to have a positive mood in the camp going into the last two league games before the World Cup.”
Barcelona’s possible XI vs Viktoria Plzen
Robert Lewandowski will be rested due to back discomfort, while Xavi is also expected to rest Alejandro Balde and Pedri.
Pablo Torre is set for a start in an advanced midfield role and Iñaki Peña will replace regular netminder Ter Stegen between the sticks.
With Lewandowski to be left out, Ferran Torres should get the nod in the central forward position alongside Raphinha and Ansu Fati.
Possible XI: Iñaki Peña; Bellerín, Piqué, Alonso, Alba; De Jong, Kessié, Torre; Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati.
Champions League last 16: qualified teams
- Bayern Munich*
- Benfica
- Borussia Dortmund
- Chelsea*
- Club Brugge
- Inter Milan
- Liverpool
- Manchester City*
- Napoli
- Paris Saint-Germain
- FC Porto
- Real Madrid
*Confirmed as group winners
When is the Champions League last 16 draw?
The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League takes place at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday 7 November. The ceremony begins at 12.00pm CET, which is 6.00am ET.
When is the Champions League last 16?
The first legs are scheduled for 14/15/21/22 February 2023, with the second legs on 7/8/14/15 March 2023.