Official: Xavi Hernandez named his starting XI for the Champions League game tonight.
Barcelona is back in action in the Champions League for the first time in over nine months after exiting the group stages last season and finishing in the Europa League.
First-round group stage action for 2022–23 will take place at the Camp Nou, and Xavi has already revealed his starting lineup. Victoria Plzen will be the opponent.
With three clean sheets in his first four games of the season, Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been in outstanding form. In an effort to leave his past mistakes behind him, the German dons the glove for the first time this season in the UCL.
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.
Confirmed Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Alba; Kessie, de Jong, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati
