Sergio Busquets is unavailable for Barcelona on Wednesday, resting up in hopes of playing in El Clásico. Sergi Roberto took his place over the weekend, but Luis Enrique has gone a bit more defensive in this game. Javier Mascherano has moved up into his natural defensive midfield role, with Jeremy Mathieu filling the Argentine’s normal position in the center of the defense.
Barcelona move Javier Mascherano into midfield to face Manchester City
He comes in for Busquets, while Man City sits Fernando.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Otherwise, there’s nothing approaching a surprise for the Blaugrana. Their famous attacking trio has been kept intact, while Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic are preferred to Xavi.
Manchester City need to score at least twice after giving up two away goals to Barcelona, and they’ve picked a fairly balanced lineup. Fernando has been dropped with Fernandinho and Yaya Toure manning the midfield for this one, but the Citizens have picked just one striker -- Sergio Aguero. James Milner is also preferred to Jesus Navas for his defensive abilities.
Barcelona lineup (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Jordi Alba, Jeremy Mathieu, Gerard Pique, Dani Alves; Javier Mascherano, Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta; Neymar, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez
Manchester City lineup (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart; Aleksandar Kolarov, Martin Demichelis, Vincent Kompany, Bacary Sagna; Fernandinho, Yaya Toure; Samir Nasri, David Silva, James Milner; Sergio Aguero
See More:
