Barcelona to rotate their starting lineup heavily vs Cadiz due to two reasons

Barcelona will be extremely high spirits as they are coming off an incredibly impressive 3-2 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

While it was an absolutely draining match for both sides, both mentally and physically, Barcelona pushed the game over the line despite going 2-1 down by the 50th-minute of the second half.

Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen, and even Pedri played through pain, but eventually got the win at the Parc des Princes in the first-leg.

The second-leg is scheduled to go ahead at the Olympic Saint Montjuic in Barcelona on Tuesday, but before that Barcelona will have to focus on an away day in Nuevo Mirandilla taking on Cadiz.

And keeping the PSG reverse fixture – and some suspensions – in mind, Xavi is set to rotate his side heavily against Cadiz.

Three players suspended

Barcelona took on Las Palmas in La Liga after the international break, and during the game, three of their players picked up their fifth yellow card of the season. This means they will now miss the Cadiz clash.

These are namely, Robert Lewandowski, Inigo Martinez, and Joao Cancelo.

Martinez would have been a guaranteed starter for this game, but with him now missing, Xavi could opt to use Andreas Christensen in defence. Since the Dane will be suspended for Barça’s second-leg vs PSG, he can slot in without risk of fatigue.

Mikayil Faye could be called up, too, given that Xavi would want to rest both of Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi.

As far as Cancelo is concerned, Hector Fort could seamlessly take his place as the left-back, while Marc Guiu, Ferran Torres, and Vitor Roque are contesting Lewandowski’s spot.

What about Kounde, Gundo, Pedri?

Jules Kounde has been playing regularly and at a very intense level since Xavi announced his resignation. He needs to be rested, too, and Sergi Roberto could take his place as the right-back.

The option of playing Marcos Alonso as the left-back to use Fort as a right-back is also on the table.

Meanwhile, in midfield, Xavi would not want to risk any one of Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong, and Pedri.

Therefore, Roberto could also fill in there, and Fermin Lopez is also an option give he did not start vs PSG. Xavi could also give minutes to youth players like Marc Casado.