Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

How Barcelona could line up against Porto

sportsmole.co.uk, 2 October 2023, 08:57
Barcelona head coach Xavi will be forced to work around the absence of Raphinha for Wednesday's Champions League Group H contest with Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.

The former Leeds United attacker picked up a hamstring injury in the first half of Friday's 1-0 win over Sevilla in La Liga and could now face up to a month on the sidelines recovering from the issue.

Raphinha joins Pedri (muscle) and Frenkie de Jong (ankle) in the Barcelona medical bay, and the Brazilian's affliction could see Lamine Yamal hold his place on the right for what would be the 16-year-old's maiden Champions League start.

The 2007-born sensation made his European bow off the bench against Royal Antwerp two weeks ago, becoming the second-youngest player in the history of the Champions League behind Youssoufa Moukoko.

Ferran Torres is an alternate option, but having provided the cross for Sergio Ramos to deflect into his own net on Friday, Yamal has warranted a place alongside Robert Lewandowski and Joao Felix, who netted twice and provided an assist in the 5-0 thumping of Antwerp.

Raphinha occupied a deeper midfield role against Sevilla, but with the South American now in the care of the physios, Oriol Romeu could return alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Gavi.

Xavi may also see no need to drop Andreas Christensen for Ronald Araujo following successive clean sheets versus Antwerp and Sevilla, as the Dane joins Alejandro Balde, Joao Cancelo, Jules Kounde and Marc-Andre ter Stegen in a familiar rearguard.

Barcelona possible starting lineup: Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Gavi, Romeu, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Felix

Top News

20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane is reportedly expected to prove his fitness in time for Euro 2024. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final spot in the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil will be determined on Thursday when Ceara host CRB in the second leg of that tie at Arena Castelao. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Flamengo return to action in the Copa do Brasil when they go head to head with Amazonas in the second leg of their third-round clash on Wednesday. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina have omitted Roma attacker Paulo Dybala from their provisional squad for Copa America 2024. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric headlines Croatia's preliminary squad for Euro 2024, with the 38-year-old set to represent his country at a major international tournament for the final time. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a first major trophy since 1963, Atalanta BC will try to conquer 'invincible' German champions Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's Europa League final, which takes place in Dublin. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich and Al-Nassr have reportedly expressed an interest in signing an out-of-favour Tottenham Hotspur defender this summer. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An exhilarating and captivating 2023-24 Premier League campaign has come to a close and Manchester City have been crowned champions for an unprecedented fourth season in a row, finishing two points clear of their nearest challengers Arsenal in second place. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still undefeated this season, Bayer Leverkusen can complete the second leg of a memorable treble by emerging victorious in Dublin this week, as they take on Atalanta BC for the right to be crowned Europa League champions. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly reached a decision over an asking price for defender Trevoh Chalobah. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The manager of a top-half Ligue 1 club has confirmed that he would be interested in working with a departing Manchester United centre-back next season. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A talented youthful striker apparently wanted by Arsenal is now believed to be the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Feyenoord manager Arne Slot as their new head coach to replace Jurgen Klopp. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following 51 games without defeat, Bayer Leverkusen put their unbeaten record on the line in Wednesday's Europa League final, when Atalanta BC attempt to finally halt the German champions. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe may reportedly not be involved in the Coupe de France final. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly set an asking price for one of their more experienced players ahead of the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest are reportedly yet to make a decision over the future of head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has expressed his pride after winning a second successive Premier League Golden Boot. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serbia's preliminary squad for Euro 2024 has been named by head coach Dragan Stojkovic, who has called upon an initial 35 players for the national team training camp before their flight to Germany. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk West Ham United are reportedly set to announce the appointment of David Moyes's successor as manager 'later this week'. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brasileirao Serie A side Corinthians take on Serie D America de Natal in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil third round at the Neo Quimica Arena on Thursday morning. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has issued a fresh update on the futures of in-demand trio Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta ahead of the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Bayern Munich are reportedly among a number of clubs interested in signing Red Bull Salzburg centre-back Oumar Solet. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Rodri has claimed that Arsenal lacked the 'mentality' to win the Premier League title and has criticised the Gunners for not wanting to beat them at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk ADO Den Haag and SBV Excelsior will be looking to boost their chances of playing Eredivisie football next season when they square off in the first leg of their playoff semi-final on Wednesday. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final chapter has closed on a captivating 2023-24 Premier League season, one which saw Manchester City earn another slice of English football history as the first team to win four Premier League titles on the spin. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final chapter has closed on a captivating 2023-24 Premier League season, one which saw Manchester City earn another slice of English football history as the first team to win four Premier League titles on the spin. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa may reportedly be prepared to be creative in a bid to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made the decision to part ways with Ryan Sessegnon on a free transfer. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly decided on an asking price for winger Jadon Sancho ahead of the summer transfer window.