Xavi’s Crucial Selection: Predicting the Barcelona Lineup for a Decisive Clash Against Porto

Hi there! I’m Kingsley, the Barca editor for Tribuna.com, and just like you, I’m immersed in the latest at our beloved club.

Barcelona is gearing up for a must-win encounter against Porto, a game that could define their fate in Group H. For Xavi, it’s the perfect opportunity to showcase the strength of his team against a formidable opponent and dispel any doubts surrounding Barcelona’s recent performances.

While Xavi’s men started the season on a high note, going unbeaten in their first 13 games with 10 victories, a late October Clasico defeat created a ripple of uncertainty around the club. Now, the pivotal clash against Porto presents a chance to turn the tide and reassert Barcelona’s dominance.

To secure this resounding win, Xavi must carefully consider his lineup. Learning from dropped points against Rayo Vallecano, it’s unlikely to see key players like Joao Felix, Kounde, Araujo, and Gundogan starting on the bench. Despite the absence of vice-captain Ter Stegen, Inaki Pena’s performance in the previous match did not raise serious concerns.

Raphinha, who injected life into the game as a substitute in the draw against Rayo Vallecano, could play a crucial role. With his experience and immediate impact, benching him in favor of Ferran Torres or Lamine seems questionable, especially considering Lamine’s inconsistency in delivering a final product.

Here’s the lineup I’m anticipating Xavi to field for the crucial clash against Porto:

Barcelona XI: Pena; Balde, Araujo, Kounde, Cancelo; De Jong, Gundogan, Pedri; Felix, Raphinha, Lewandowski

Stay tuned for an exciting match and let’s hope for a victorious outcome for our beloved Barcelona!