Barcelona will be without some of its key starters for the second leg match against Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday.
Coach Xavi also won’t be able to count on suspended midfielder Gavi, while injuries have ruled out playmaker Pedri and forward Ousmane Dembélé.
The teams drew 2-2 in Barcelona last week in the first leg of the knockout playoffs. The former European champions traded leads in a thrilling back-and-forth second half at Camp Nou.
ALSO READ: UCL: Osimhen scores again as Napoli secure 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt
Barcelona, who arrived in Manchester on Wednesday, heads into the match still reeling from the revelation that it made payments of millions of dollars over several years to a company that belonged to the vice president of Spain’s refereeing committee, igniting widespread criticism of the club across Spain.
Barcelona has denied any wrongdoing, saying it paid for technical reports on referees but never tried to influence their decisions in games.
ALSO READ: Hatayspor recover sporting director’s body from rubble two weeks after earthquake
Muscle injuries have sidelined Pedri (right leg) and Dembélé (left leg). Xavi could use forwards Ferran Torres or Ansu Fati to play in attack against United with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha or add Sergi Roberto to an attacking midfield position in what would be a more cautious formation.
Raphinha started on the bench in the team’s 2-0 win against Cadiz in the Spanish league on Sunday, a result that left the Catalan club eight points ahead of second-place Real Madrid.
Lewandowski and Roberto scored a goal each.
"He was a symbol of strength, determination and resolve, and created unforgettable moments...
He emphasised the importance of coordination in planning, timely execution, disciplined delivery....
IFAB has already agreed to look at measures to stop players from hiding what they…
He said MMA’s emergence from relative obscurity reflects deliberate institutional backing by the Police....
They’ll capture a league that believes it belongs on the big stage and on April…
The footballer was found guilty of having non-consensual sexual relations in March 2021....
This website uses cookies.