After dropping out of the group stages last season, ending up in the Europa League, Barcelona are finally back in action in the Champions League for the first time in over nine months.
The Camp Nou awaits Victoria Plzen for the first round of the 2022/23 group stages, and Xavi has already announced his starting lineup for the game.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been incredible form in the opening four games of the campaign, keeping three clean sheets in four games. The German dons the glove for the first time in the UCL this season, hoping to put his ghosts behind him.
In defence, we will witness Jules Kounde’s first minutes in the UCL as a Barcelona player, starting alongside Andreas Christensen in the heart of the back-four. Sergi Roberto flanks the team from the right, with Jordi Alba on the left side.
Franck Kessie has been awarded with his first start in Barcelona colours, flanking Frenkie de Jong, who starts as the sole pivot. Pedri gets the nod over Gavi as the final pawn in the centre of the park.
There is one change in Xavi’s front-three, with Ansu Fati coming in to replace Raphinha. Ousmane Dembele retains his place, with Robert Lewandowski hoping to get back on top of the UCL scoring charts.
𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐎́#BarçaViktoria pic.twitter.com/1RhLjZ0pMt
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) September 7, 2022
Confirmed Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Alba; Kessie, de Jong, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati