During this FIFA international break, FC Barcelona are reportedly plotting their starting lineup for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez likely knows who will be available to him, and now the plan is to put together a team, especially a defense, that can contain Kylian Mbappé.
SPORT’s Toni Juanmartí reports that Xavi’s big dilemma is determining who will be the right back to stop Mbappé: Jules Koundé or Ronald Araujo? The initial idea is that this will be Barça’s defense against PSG: Koundé, Araujo, Pau Cubarsí, João Cancelo.
🚨🚨🌕| Xavi's big dilemma is to decide who will play as the right back to stop Kylian Mbappe: Jules Koundé or Ronald Araujo?
The initial idea is that this will be Barça's defence vs PSG: Koundé, Araujo, Cubarsí, Cancelo. @tjuanmarti pic.twitter.com/m7dekGtwXI
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) March 22, 2024
Meanwhile, in the midfield, Xavi will reportedly have Frenkie de Jong. His recovery from his sprained ankle is very positive, and all indications are that he will be 100 percent ready for the match against PSG.
As for Pedri, the chances of the midfielder being ready for the first leg against PSG are still up in the air. Furthermore, Barcelona will not force him, nor will they put pressure on him to return.
