Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Porto

Sports admin November 29, 2023

Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Porto | UCL GW 5

Barcelona have the chance to qualify for the Champions League round of 16 tonight as they get ready to host Portuguese royalty in the form of Porto at the Olympic Saint Montjuic.

Coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano in the league, Xavi and co. will be hoping to get back to winning ways, especially after falling short to Shakhtar Donetsk in the UCL on matchday four.

Heading into the game, Xavi has made a few changes to the starting lineup from the Rayo game, starting with the backline. Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde both return to the back-four, with the latter playing as a right-back, while the former takes place in central defence.

Alejandro Balde has been benched, while Inigo Martinez continues to get game time as a centre-back. Joao Cancelo, too, retains his spot, this time at left-back. With Marc-Andre ter Stegen still injured, though, Inaki Pena will continue in goal.

Ilkay Gundogan got some long-overdue rest time on the weekend, but returns to the team as the pivot. Frenkie de Jong gets another start after only recovering from his injury recently, while Pedri gets the nod in midfield as an interior.

There are two changes to the front-three. The left-wing sees Ferran Torres make way for Joao Felix to come in, while Lamine Yamal has been rested in favour of Raphinha.

Robert Lewandowski is the final piece of the puzzle in the team, spearheading the attack as the no. 9.