Cubarsi, Lamine start in a 4-2-3-1- How Barcelona can line up against Club Brugge | OneFootball

After bouncing back to winning ways against Elche, FC Barcelona will be eager to build momentum and secure another victory when they take on Club Brugge tonight in the UEFA Champions League.

The defeat to Real Madrid last month will have hurt morale in the Catalan club, and as such, it is important for Hansi Flick & co. to build back their rhythm.

Barcelona have already lost a game in the Champions League – against PSG – and it is crucial for the team to avoid any further slip-ups if they intend to secure a top-eight finish and direct qualification to the Round of 16.

Injuries, though, continue to be a problem for Barça, as they are again without Pedri, Joan Garcia, Raphinha, Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Andreas Christensen for the trip to Bruges.

Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo did make their comebacks over the weekend against Elche, though, and could play a bigger role tonight against the Belgian outfit. With that in mind, here’s how Barcelona could take the field against Club Brugge.

Defence

Wojciech Szczesny remains the automatic choice in goal for Barcelona until Garcia returns, which is not far away, as he has already completed several training sessions on the pitch.

As for the defensive unit, we are expected to see one notable change, with Pau Cubarsi returning to the lineup after being rested against Elche.

The Spaniard is likely to replace Eric Garcia, who could use a breather, meaning Ronald Araujo will continue in the backline, slotting in as Cubarsi’s centre-back partner.

At left-back, there is no looking past Alejandro Balde, who is a key player for Flick with the attacking impetus he provides.

Midfield

Frenkie de Jong is one yellow card away from suspension. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The absences of Pedri and Gavi, and the cautious reintegration of Marc Bernal, mean that Flick does not have much room for rotation as far as the midfield department goes.

As such, both Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casado are expected to start in the centre of the park again, despite both being just one yellow card from a suspension – which would rule them out against Chelsea later this month.

Bernal should, however, get some minutes in the latter stages of the match, depending on the situation.

Meanwhile, Fermin Lopez ought to continue as the No. 10 for Barcelona, ahead of the fit-again Dani Olmo and teenage prodigy Dro, both of whom could get minutes off the bench.

Attack

Question marks linger over the fitness situation of Lamine Yamal as he continues to deal with pubalgia. But it is expected that the 18-year-old wonderkid will start on the right flank as usual for Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, who has scored two braces in the Champions League this season, will continue occupying the left flank in Raphinha’s absence.

Robert Lewandowski’s return to fitness puts him in contention for a start as the No. 9, but Ferran Torres is likely to edge out the veteran centre-forward as has been the case for most of the season.