Predicted XI

De Jong in defence? How Barcelona could line-up against Ferencvaros

The Blaugrana are currently in the middle of a personnel crisis at the back and could be forced to play the Dutchman as a centre-back

 
9:42am on Tuesday 1st December 2020
By
Martin Macdonald

Barcelona will deploy a makeshift back four this week when they face Ferencvaros in the Champions League.

The Catalan side are in the middle of an injury crisis in defence, with Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Sergi Roberto, and Ronald Aurajo all missing.

Before the weekend, Clement Lenglet was their only fit centre-back, but he subsequently limped off in the win versus Osasuna, and although he will reportedly only be missing for 10 days, he won't feature here.

Rookie Barca B defender Oscar Mingueza will be asked to start again, with either Frenkie de Jong or Sergio Busquets alongside him.

Both players have been trusted in that position before, but it was most recently the Dutchman, so Ronald Koeman may go for him again with Busquets coming into midfield. Both players are interchangeable.

Against Dynamo last week, Koeman named a much-changed line-up with the likes of Trincao, Carles Alena, and Martin Braithwaite all being given game time.

Braithwaite, in particular, impressed and scored his first Champions League goals for the club, and followed that up with a goal against Osasuna, too.

Lionel Messi was rested for that game, it could happen again as Barca comfortably won away from home.

The front four were impressed to the extent that Koeman could name the same foursome in the final third for this one.

Barcelona: Squad, FC Ratings, Matches, Formations

Barcelona starting XI versus Ferencvaros

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