Get ready for a thrilling encounter as Barcelona gears up for their long-awaited clash with Club Brugge! It's been nearly two decades since these two teams last faced off, and the anticipation is palpable.
Barcelona, fresh from their El Clásico defeat, bounced back with a solid 3-1 win over Elche, setting the stage for an exciting Champions League campaign.
But here's where it gets controversial... Hansi Flick, despite injury woes and the Camp Nou conundrum, has a chance to lead his team to a strong finish in the league phase. With a favorable schedule ahead, Barça could enter the November international break with their heads held high.
In Gameweek 4, they travel to Bruges, aiming for their third win in the competition. A defeat to Paris Saint-Germain has left them on the outskirts of the top eight, but a kind draw for the remainder of the league phase could be their saving grace.
The injury front remains unchanged from Sunday's victory, and Flick has named a 22-man squad for the upcoming battle at the Jan Breydelstadion. Let's take a closer look at the predicted lineup:
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny - The Polish keeper's superb saves on Sunday ensured a calm and collected performance, and he's set to continue his run between the posts.
Right Back: Jules Koundé - Koundé might not be at his peak yet this season, but Flick's trust in him remains unwavering. He'll likely face off against Brugge's star player, Christos Tzolis.
Center Backs: Ronald Araújo (Captain) and Pau Cubarsí - Araújo's partnership with Eric García and Pau Cubarsí has been tested, especially after the Clásico defeat. Araújo's experience will be crucial until the January transfer window. Cubarsí, a teenager, is set to rotate back into the starting XI after being an unused sub on Sunday.
Left Back: Gerard Martín - Martín has shone in this competition, and with Alejandro Balde's importance to the team, we might see the starting left-back get some much-needed rest during this midweek fixture.
Central Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casadó - De Jong, in superb form, stepped up in the absence of injured Pedri. He'll face a tough test against Brugge's aggressive press. Casadó, who had a breakout season last year, is expected to partner De Jong once again.
Attacking Midfield: Fermín López - López, a product of the academy, has been Barça's standout player recently. He scored his first hat-trick for the club in their 6-1 victory over Olympiacos.
Right Wing: Lamine Yamal - Yamal put the Clásico drama behind him and delivered a solid performance, scoring the opening goal against Elche. Can he bring his European form to Bruges?
Striker: Robert Lewandowski - Fitness issues have kept the veteran striker on the sidelines, but Wednesday night could see the Champions League's third all-time leading scorer make his first start since early October. With Ferran Torres just returning from injury, Lewandowski's experience could be vital.
Left Wing: Marcus Rashford - With Raphinha still out, Flick turns to the Man Utd loanee, Rashford, who is in good form and delivered an emphatic finish on the weekend.
And this is the part most people miss... Barcelona's lineup is a delicate balance of experience and youth, with key players returning from injury and others stepping up to the challenge.
Will Barça secure their place in the top eight? Can Lewandowski lead the attack once again? Join the discussion and share your thoughts on this exciting matchup!
