Frenkie de Jong, yes. Christensen, no. Xavi Hernández has ended up opting for De Jong for the crucial match at the Parc des Princes. Against PSG, the Dutchman reappears in Barcelona in the place of the Dane, who was aiming for the starting eleven after having overcome the discomfort in his Achilles tendon but who will finally remain on the bench in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals .
The Dutchman has not played for more than a month. The inside of him was injured on March 3 in San Mamés when he suffered a sprained ankle on his right foot. The coach did not want to do without one of his most confident players with the ball and with the best physical display on a big night in Paris.
The presence of De Jong, who will share the position of organizer and pivot with captain Sergi Roberto, hero of the 6-1 in 2017, allows Gündogan to advance his position to be the link with the attack.
Pedri also traveled to Paris without a medical clearance and already has the approval of the doctors after his muscle injury. However, the canary will start the game from the bench.
In attack, Raphinha once again wins the game against João Félix. The Brazilian is the one chosen to start on the left wing. The forward is completed by Lewandowski, who scored in both the first leg and the second leg of the tie against Naples, and Lamine Yamal, who at 16 years old will play in the Champions League quarterfinals.
If the youth player is able to beat Donnarumma, he would become the youngest scorer in the history of the competition. For the second game in the tournament, Barcelona once again fielded two minors in a qualifying duel, with Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, an important piece in the center of the defense despite the fact that it is only their fifteenth game in the first team .
The defensive part was clearer with Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsí and Cancelo to protect Ter Stegen and mark Mbappé and Dembélé.
Luis Enrique also shakes up his lineup, a little out of obligation (Achraf Hakimi’s suspension and Barcola’s injury) and a little to try to surprise. Captain Marquinhos will move to the right to play at right back while Marco Asensio will occupy the vacant spot up front. In addition, the Asturian coach leaves the young youth squad Zaire-Emery on the bench. In his place comes the South Korean Kang-In Lee, former Valencia and Mallorca player.
PSG’s 11 are Donnarumma, Marquinhos, Lucas Hernandez, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Kang-In Lee, Fabian Ruiz, Marco Asensio, Mbappe and Dembélé.
Barça will play in Paris with Ter Stegen, Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsí, Cancelo, Sergi Roberto, De Jong, Gündogan, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski.
