How will Barcelona line up against Manchester United?

Barcelona missing important players for the return leg at Old Trafford

Barcelona and Manchester United played to a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou in the first leg of their Europa League playoff round match.

The draw was a better result for the Red Devils as they left a good image with a feeling they could have left with a win.

While the same could be said for Barcelona, the difference is some of their deficiencies playing in Europe were on display and, to make matters worse, they will be without two of their most important midfield players.

Pedri was forced off in that match with an injury and is expected to be out for a month. Gavi picked up a yellow card meaning he is suspended for the second leg at Old Trafford.

Barcelona released the squad list for the match with Marc Casado being a notable inclusion.

https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1628312644707917824

Without two of his midfielders, Xavi Hernandez has a decision to make.

Does he revert back to the 4-3-3 or stick with the 4-4-2?

The Catalans will be able to count on Sergio Busquets, who missed the first match, who has enjoyed a resurgence playing in a system with an extra midfielder. With Frenkie de Jong covering, Busquets has pulled back the years and been enabled to do what he does best.

Even if Xavi does stick with that formation, Busquets may not have that protection as De Jong is likely to be tasked with helping out in attack with Pedri’s absence. Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie could round out the midfield if Xavi decides to use that system.

Having never used that midfield, it will be interesting to see how they mesh if, indeed, that is what Xavi sends outs.

The other option would be to add a third forward to round out the attack. Ferran Torres had one of his best games against Cadiz and could have played himself into the starting lineup. The question then becomes where Xavi decides to use him. He is more comfortable playing on the right but that part of the pitch is reserved for Raphinha.

If Barcelona decide to play with one less midfielder, both Raphinha and Torres are going to have to track back as Manchester United cut through the Barcelona midfield with ease.

If Barcelona want to improve from the first leg, then Xavi will need to stop with the experiments and play his best defense. At the Camp Nou, he opted for Marcos Alonso and Jordi Alba on the left side and Ronald Araújo and Jules Kounde on the right with the Uruguayan functioning as the right-back.

He must start Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde on the left if he wants Barcelona to make it to the next round. Araújo needs to be moved back to center-back and Kounde at right-back. Trying something new isn’t a bad thing but perhaps in a Europa League match against Manchester United isn’t the best time to do so.

Barcelona were unable to contain Marcus Rashford and it partly had to do with the fact they didn’t have the appropriate personnel to do so. Playing his best defense at their best positions could go a long way to stopping Rashford and co. from causing too much damage.

Up front, Lewandowski got off the mark against Cadiz which Barcelona hope is what he needed as they are going to need him to be a difference maker and convert on the chances he gets.

The match could go either way but if Barcelona do end up coming short, at the very least, Xavi needs to go out with his best.

Expected starting XI

Ter Stegen
Kounde – Araújo – Christensen – Balde
Kessie – Busquets – Sergi Roberto – De Jong
Raphinha – Lewandowski