Claudio Bravo put on a masterful performance guarding the goalpost for Barcelona in their dominating 4-0 win over Real Madrid in El Clasico. Although he is clearly performing at an elite level for the club, Bravo has not been given any significant time outside of La Liga since signing with the team back in 2014.
The reason for Bravo’s snubbing has been the dominance of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has started all but one of Barcelona’s non-La Liga competitions since joining the club in 2014 (just several months before Bravo).
With Bravo, Barcelona took the La Liga title, but ter Stegen helped Barcelona claim the Copa del Ray, Champions League and the Super Cup. It’s a great problem to have when a club has not one, but two elite goalkeepers who can be relied on at all times, and in all competitions.
And we haven’t even mentioned the possible return of Lionel Messi yet…
Here is the Barcelona predicted XI for their Champions League bout with AS Roma on Tuesday:
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GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen
ter Stegen has been the Champions League starter for the first four matches, and that shouldn’t change in spite of Bravo’s masterful performance.
DF Dani Alves
Alves is a tackling machine and draws fouls left and right. Assuming he’s well-rested from El Clasico, he’ll be back against Roma.
DF Vermaelen
Vermaelen was okay against BATE Borisov but he has more than enough talent around him to mask his flaws.
DF Jeremy Mathieu
Mathieu put on a masterful performance in injury relief for Mascherano on Saturday. If Luis Enrique doesn’t give Mathieu the nod against Roma while Mascherano recovers he’s doing his centre-back position a big disservice.
DF Adriano
The team’s best tackler against BATE Borisov earlier this month, Adriano still has plenty of spring in his step.
MF Andres Iniesta
A flawless performance against Real Madrid sets Iniesta up to win yet another Group Stage with Barcelona.
MF Sergio Busquets
Busquets could very well be on thin ice with his fouling over the last few matches, but he’s still one of the best possession midfielders on the team.
MF Gerard Gumbau
Unless Rakitic is recovered from his calf injury by kickoff, Gumbau should be starting in his place.
FW Neymar
Neymar scored twice against BATE Borisov earlier this month and again in El Clasico. It’ll be fun to see who scores the most among this week’s trio of strikers.
FW Lionel Messi
Finally recovered from his September injury, Messi was a second-half substitution in El Clasico and looked completely healthy. He should get the start (and a few goals too).
FW Luis Suarez
With a team-leading three goals in the Champions League, Suarez should continue his dominating ways especially now that Messi is back.