Barcelona will face Galatasaray in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16. Xavi Hernández’s men intend to put the tie on track with the clash this Thursday (9:00 pm) at the Camp Nou.
The Spanish coach will make changes with respect to the last league line-up. Xavi wants to have all the players fresh and against the Turkish team he will give minutes to some less usual players. The main novelties will be the return of Lenglet, to the center of the defense and the ownership of Memphis Depay, after his saving goal against Elche.
There will be no news in goal, Ter Stegen will repeat. In defense, Dest will be the right back, since Dani Alves is not registered in Europe. Gerard Piqué will be accompanied by Lenglet, who has not been a starter since December 18 in the league match against Elche. Jordi Alba will be the left side.
The center of the field is the place where Xavi makes the most adjustments from one game to another. Frenkie de Jong will start from the start, along with Pedri, and on this occasion, it will be Nico who finishes forming the line of three. Busquets will watch the match from the bench. And for the forward, Xavi will give the alternative to Depay on the left side, accompanied by Adama from the extreme right and with Ferran Torres, again false. Aubameyang and Dembélé, starters in the last LaLiga match, will have rest a priori.
Possible Barcelona eleven for the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 against Galatasaray
Ter Stegen; Dest, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Nico, Pedri, Of Jong; Adama, Ferran Torres and Depay.