FC Barcelona Versus Dynamo Kiev Preview, Team News And Line Up

For the fourth time this season, FC Barcelona find themselves in the same predicament whereby they will turn to Europe to paper over the cracks of their poor league form.

Losing 1-0 to Atletico Madrid at the weekend, Ronald Koeman’s men face Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday away from home and can prolong their 100% record thus far in the Champions League with a win.

This must be done without Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong, however, who as revealed by Koeman at his press conference yesterday will not travel east as they are in need of a rest.

Owing to injuries to the likes of Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto and Ansu Fati, a depleted squad will contest the match against a side that Barca ran out slim 2-1 winners at the start of the month.

As for the starting XI then, a Marc Andre ter Stegen at grave fault for Atleti’s goal on Saturday is still expected to keep his place in the line up.

On the back line, Jordi Alba starts on the left while Clement Lenglet guides B team reserve Oscar Mingueza through a baptism of fire and Sergino Dest fills in for Roberto at right back.

In the 4-2-3-1 system, Miralem Pjanic is a lock and joined by one of the homegrown La Masia outcasts in Riqui Puig or Carles Alena. There have been criticisms that the new look formation, which has been successful on the continent but not domestically, isn’t suited to the Catalans, yet Koeman remains defiant.

“I think you can say a lot of things but it’s not a matter of the system. We have players to play in many systems and in principle we have the 4-2-3-1. It seems that Barça can only play 4-3-3, but it depends on the circumstances of the match. We have to leave [pointing to] system issues,” he insisted.

With Francisco Trincao to his right and Pedri to his left, the previously crocked Philippe Coutinho resumes his responsibilities as a central attacking midfielder charged with supplying lone striker Antoine Griezmann.