Barcelona already has its place in the pot on Monday, December 18, among the 16 best teams in the Champions League and this can be seen in those chosen by Xavi Hernández to face Antwerp at the Bosuilstadion. The coach rests Cancelo, Gündogan, Pedri and João Félix thinking about next Saturday’s League match at Mestalla. But there are no calm days at Can Barça and there are very regular players in the lineup.
However, the presence of Robert Lewandowski in the eleven is surprising. The Polish forward goes from not being called up on Monday, to traveling on Tuesday and starting this Wednesday against Antwerp. Only one of the number 9’s nine goals has been in the group stage of the Champions League.
Ronald Araújo, who also subsequently entered the list for this trip, remains in the stands since he is prepared. On the other hand, the third player who entered into that sudden change of plans, Gündogan, and who has played all 21 games this season, is expected on the bench for the moment.
This sixth day of the Champions League will not be forgotten by youth player Héctor Fort, who will make his official debut. The youth player, who turned 17 in August, will occupy the right back, his ideal position, while Koundé and Christensen form the central couple. Without Cancelo, Balde is the left-handed back.
Oriol Romeu, after three games without even playing a minute, returns to the eleven. The midfielder, who started in Vallecas on November 25 for the last time, did not play afterwards against Porto, Atlético or Girona. He is accompanied by Fermín and Sergi Roberto, who reappears after two months injured.
In attack, Xavi is betting on repeating the same forward line that he played in Vallecas (1-1): Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and the aforementioned Lewandowski.
Without Ter Stegen, Iñaki Peña will defend the Blaugrana goal for the fifth consecutive game. Only against Atlético could he keep a clean sheet.
