90min

The Barcelona Lineup That Should Start Against Napoli

By Max Haley

Barcelona have had an underwhelming season.
Barcelona have had an underwhelming season. / Denis Doyle/Getty Images
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Barcelona welcome Napoli to Camp Nou on Saturday in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Quique Setien's side have come back to action poorly in the post-lockdown restart, surrendering a slender lead to hand Real Madrid the Spanish league title, but they remain in with a shout of going one better and being crowned champions of Europe.

Here is the lineup that Quique Setien should send out to take Barça into the quarters.

1. Goalkeeper and Defenders

ter Stegen is arguably the best 'keeper in the world.
ter Stegen is arguably the best 'keeper in the world. / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Marc Andre ter Stegen (GK) - Over the last couple of years, Ter Stegen has made a strong case for being considered the best goalkeeper in the world. Barcelona will be reliant on him to keep Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne from scoring.

Nelson Semedo (RB) - Sergi Roberto has shared the role of starting right-back in this Barcelona team, but with Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal suspended, he will be used in midfield – leaving Semedo a clear run at the start.

Gerard Pique (CB) - Pique is still Barça's main man in defence. He starts.

Clement Lenglet (CB) - The Frenchman had a difficult first season but he has nailed down his starting place this year.

Jordi Alba (LB) - Not quite the flying full-back he once was, but Alba is still a net positive; and rapid.

2. Midfielders

De Jong is Barca's main midfielder now
De Jong is Barca's main midfielder now / Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Ivan Rakitic (CDM) - Rakitic is likely to leave in the summer but he will play a deeper role on Saturday because of Busquets' suspension.

Sergi Roberto (CM) - Barcelona are light in the middle of the pitch, so Roberto will get a rare chance to impress in his preferred position.

Frenkie de Jong (CM) - De Jong has arguably become Barcelona's best central midfielder this season – partly because of his own good performances and partly because Arthur has been frozen out (and now sold). Either way, he will be expected to run the midfield on Saturday.

3. Forwards

Griezmann scored in the first leg.
Griezmann scored in the first leg. / Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

Antoine Griezmann (LW) - Griezmann scored in the first leg and, despite an admittedly underwhelming first season in Catalunya, Barcelona will be glad he is back from the thigh complaint that saw him miss the end of the La Liga season.

Luis Suarez (CF) - He may be getting on, but Suarez is still Barcelona's prime central threat – and his partnership with Lionel Messi will be key in deciding this matchup

Lionel Messi (RW) - He's Messi.