Sergi Roberto will not be available for Barcelona’s heavyweight Champions League match against Bayern Munich tonight.
The 30-year-old has been a consistent right-back in recent weeks, but he was taken to the hospital on a stretcher after suffering a shoulder injury in Sunday’s victory over Athletic Bilbao, and he won’t be able to play against the Bundesliga’s top teams.
In his absence, Hector Bellerin is expected to make his first appearance in a European league since joining from Arsenal in the summer. However, Xavi may decide to move Jules Kounde to full-back and pair Eric Garcia with Gerard Pique in the centre of defence.
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The Barcelona manager has stated that Gavi’s weekend limp “looks to be nothing” and that he expects the midfielder, who last week won the Golden Boy award, to be totally fit for Bayern’s visit.
With two of Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi partnering Pedri in midfield, Robert Lewandowski will lead the attack against his former team.
The Polish captain will be anxious to score at the Camp Nou after having seven shots in Barcelona’s loss in Munich last month but failing to get one past Manuel Neuer.
Raphinha is the preferred option on the other flank, so Ousmane Dembele, who recently scored three goals and assisted on three more, is expected to start. Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati might have to make do with the bench.
Possible Barcelona XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Bellerin, Garcia, Kounde, Balde; Busquets, Pedri, De Jong; Raphinha, Dembele, Lewandowski