Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde will return to the Barcelona starting lineup in the Champions League tie with Red Star Belgrade at the Red Star Stadium on Wednesday.
Barcelona will aim to continue the superb start to the 2024/25 season when they lock horns with Crvena Zvezda at the Red Star Stadium on Wednesday night. Hansi Flick has no new injury concerns that are hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Marc Bernal, and Ferran Torres remain on the sidelines. Otherwise, Flick does not have any new issues to worry about for the midweek UEFA Champions League fixture.
Meanwhile, Flick did not discuss team news updates during his pre-match press conference. However, the German tactician shed some light on the goalkeeping situation, with Wojciech Szczesny still waiting for his debut.
The Barcelona manager said, “Tek [Szczesny] has trained for two months with us and when I spoke to him you can see that he is an exceptional guy. He helps Inaki and the other youngsters. It’s ideal to have him in the team. When we need him he will be ready. Our aim was to have a player like him with experience, who can give us stability and help the other goalkeepers.”
Szczesny will continue to wait for his debut, with Inaki Pena retaining his spot between the sticks. The away side will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of Pena against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday. The backline should see one change, with Jules Kounde replacing Hector Fort.
Kounde will join Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde in the Barcelona backline. As for the midfield unit, Flick should make one change, with Frenkie de Jong replacing Marc Casado as Pedri’s partner in the double pivot.
Dani Olmo will continue reprising the no. 10 role, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha retaining their spots on the flanks. Finally, there is no looking past Robert Lewandowski as the central striker, with Fermin Lopez, Gavi, and Casado among the backup options on the bench.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Crvena zvezda: UEFA Champions League
GK: Iñaki Peña—Fully established as Barcelona’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Peña will look for his second UCL clean sheet of the season.
RB: Jules Koundé—The Frenchman was given a rest over the weekend in the Catalan derby. Expect him to return to the lineup and patrol the right-flank.
CB: Pau Cubarsí—The teenager remains as one of Barcelona’s most consistent and solid defenders. The various defensive injuries have allowed him to continue the very impressive start to his career.
CB: Íñigo Martínez—Alongside Cubarsí, Martínez has established one of the best center-back pairings in Europe this season. He’s been rock solid in his second season with the club.
LB: Alejandro Baldé—Baldé is back to the level that saw him become one of the most dangerous attacking fullbacks in Europe. He’ll look for a third assist in as many games.
CM: Frenkie de Jong—The Dutch midfielder will be hoping to finally get his first start of the season. After several cameos, this could be the game where he finally starts and gives Marc Casadó some well earned rest.
CM: Pedri—It doesn’t seem likely that Flick will remove both of his regular midfielders, so Pedri gets the nod. The former Kopa Trophy winner has been remarkable to begin the season.
RW: Lamine Yamal—Yamal has only one goal in Barcelona’s last six games. He’ll look to find the back of the net for the second time in his UCL career.
AM: Fermín López—López gave way for Dani Olmo to start his first game in over a month against Espanyol. Flick might be cautious about giving Olmo back to back starts so soon, so the 21-year-old midfielder could make his return to the XI.
LW: Raphinha—One of the best players on the planet this season. He has at least one goal involvement in each of Barcelona’s last six games.
ST: Robert Lewandowski—Lewandowski won’t want to fall behind in the race for the UCL golden boot. He’s currently two goals behind Harry Kane and Viktor Gyökeres with three.
