Barcelona Aims to Hold LaLiga Lead Before Champions League Clash | beIN SPORTS

Suspensions: Becker, Kubo, and Aguerd.
Doubtful: Oyarzabal.

Published 2 weeks ago• 2 minute read

will host this Sunday at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, aiming to stay atop before facing in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

However, the challenge will not be easy for the Blaugranas, as they face a side managed by , who already knows what it's like to win in Barcelona. The visitors will seek to repeat their triumph from Matchday 35 of the 2022-23 season, when they secured a 2-1 win at Camp Nou with goals from and . Moreover, this season, has already suffered a defeat against , losing 1-0 at the Reale Arena in the first leg of the campaign.

Fatigue and Rotations Ahead of the Champions League

arrives at this match after a physically demanding 4-4 draw against in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg, a game in which the Catalans came back from a two-goal deficit, only for the Colchoneros to equalize in the final ten minutes.

With long-term absences including goalkeeper and midfielder , as well as the recent injury of defender , coach might rotate his squad with the upcoming Champions League fixture in mind. Center-back , who started on the bench against , could return to the lineup in place of , while may take over the defensive midfield role to give a rest, as he did against .

Up front, is expected to return to the starting eleven in place of , while the main doubt remains whether will play as an attacking midfielder or if will retain the role.

On the other hand, faces a tight schedule and has its priorities set on European competition. Like , the Txuri-Urdin played a demanding Copa del Rey semifinal match, but with one less day of rest, which could impact their performance at Montjuic.

will have to cope with several absences. In addition to injured players , , and , is also likely to be sidelined, while remains doubtful. The coach will also be without suspended players , , and .