How FC Barcelona could line-up for Benfica Champions League clash

With a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Lisbon last week, Hansi Flick will field his strongest possible Barça XI this Tuesday at home against Benfica.

With defender Pau Cubarsí suspended following his straight red card at the Estadio Da Luz last week, Ronald Araújo will step in and accompany Íñigo Martínez at the heart of the defence. Dani Olmo appears poised to start and will join Frenkie de Jong and Pedri.

Barcelona’s game last Saturday against Osasuna was suspended due to the sudden death of club doctor Carles Miñarro and after the UCL test, the Catalan’s face Atletico Madrid on Sunday in LaLiga before the international break.

Barça possible XI

Wojciech Szczesny will man the sticks, after his prodigious performance in Lisbon. Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde will play on each wing with Araújo and Íñigo as centre-backs. In midfield there are no surprises expected and everything points to the trident formed by Frenkie, Pedri and Olmo.

And in attack, Robert Lewandowski will be augmented by Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, two of the best players in the world and firm candidates for the ‘Ballon d’Or’.

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