Ronaldo Koeman has made four changes to the Barcelona side that were upset by Cadiz on the weekend ahead of tonight’s mammoth Champions League encounter against Juventus.
Ronald Araujo has the daunting task of facing up against all-time great Cristiano Ronaldo on his return from injury as he partners Clement Lenglet in central defence.
Barcelona star Sergio Busquets is replaced in the starting lineup by former Juventus ace Miralem Pjanic, with the Catalan outfit hoping the Bosnian can exploit his ex-employers’ secrets on the way to victory.
The final two changes see promising attackers Pedri and Francisco Trincao come in for Philippe Coutinho and Martin Braithwaite, with the duo handed a golden opportunity to shine on the big stage.
Take a look at the Blaugrana’s lineup below:
#Culers! Here's YOUR starting XI for #BarçaJuve!
??? pic.twitter.com/sIRphBwNkZ— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 8, 2020
Here’s how some of the Barcelona faithful have reacted to Koeman’s teamsheet:
Thank God no Busquets
— Barçadeep (@Soumyad01246875) December 8, 2020
No Busquets? Might tune in
— Wolfi (@Wolfi10FCB) December 8, 2020
Busquets I love you but benchhhh ??
— ? (@fcbxxxs) December 8, 2020
Good starting 11 let’s win now ?
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) December 8, 2020
I hope Lenglet won’t cost us the game again! Lets hope the best! Visca Barca!
— SteveMcQueen33 (@jeri1992) December 8, 2020
Where is couthino??this game is too big for trincao
— Ngaa madziba (@NgaaMadziba) December 8, 2020
We need coutinho
— ? (@agumpraz) December 8, 2020
Today might be the last time we see Messi vs Ronaldo. It was an absolute pleasure watching these two greats play against each other. Might never see such rivalry again. Feel thankful to God that you were born in the same era as they are (even if you are not a football fan).
— Somdatta (@Culer1018) December 8, 2020
Whilst the European giants’ have both dominated and secured qualification to the next round as part of a respectfully weak group including Ferencvaros and Dynamo Kyiv, there’s more at stake tonight…
This will act as the first ever Group Stage meeting between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, all eyes will keeping a close eye to see which all-time great comes out on top.
It’s saddening to see a large portion of the club’s fans celebrating Busquets’ omission considering everything that the long-serving midfielder has given to the club, but that’s football now.
Busquet probably the midfielder in the world