Balde, Yamal start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona can line up against Young Boys

After a disappointing defeat against CA Osasuna in La Liga over the weekend, Barcelona will aim to produce a strong reaction and bag their first win of the season in Europe when they take on Young Boys tonight.

The Blaugrana lost their UEFA Champions League opener 2-1 against AS Monaco last month, with an early red card to Eric Garcia damaging their chances.

However, coming up against a Young Boys side that has been on a poor run of form provides Barcelona with the perfect opportunity to get their European campaign up and running.

After all, given the new format, Hansi Flick & co. will be aware that another slip-up could hurt their chances.

Barcelona will be without Eric Garcia, who is suspended for the game, but finally welcome Frenkie de Jong back into the squad for tonight’s game after over five months.

Gavi, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen all remain unavailable, however. With that in mind, here’s how Barcelona could take the field at the Montjuic Stadium tonight.

Defence

With no Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny’s signing yet to be made official Inaki Pena becomes the automatic choice between the sticks for Barcelona. The La Masia graduate will be searching for his first European clean sheet with the Catalans.

Meanwhile, there will be a couple of changes in defence as Flick is expected to revert to his strongest XI after rotating against Osasuna.

As such, Inigo Martinez ought to replace Sergi Dominguez at the heart of the Barça defence, pairing up with Pau Cubarsi. Meanwhile, Alejandro Balde is set to come in at left-back for Gerard Martin while Jules Kounde continues at right-back.

Set to return to the lineup. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Midfield

Even though Frenkie de Jong is back and available, Flick is unlikely to start him off right away, with the Dutchman likely to be eased back into the thick of things.

With Eric Garcia suspended and no Gavi and Marc Bernal available, the Barcelona manager will pair up Pedri with Marc Casado in the double pivot, with the latter returning to the lineup after getting some rest against Osasuna.

The No. 10 position poses a quandary for Flick as he must choose between starting Pablo Torre and using Raphinha on the left or moving the Brazilian into a central role and deploying Ferran Torres out wide.

Despite Torres’ experience and pedigree in Europe, his display against Osasuna was far from convincing, and as such, Pablo Torre should get the nod tonight.

Attack

Both Lamine Yamal and Raphinha should return to the starting lineup tonight after getting some rest against Osasuna.

With Torre likely to start, the Brazilian would occupy the left flank while Yamal will be on the right, in search of his second Champions League goal.

Robert Lewandowski has been in fine form this season and will lead the Barcelona attack, in the hope of adding more goals to his tally.

Pau Victor, Ferran Torres, and Ansu Fati will be options off the bench to bolster the attacking unit.