On Wednesday night, Barcelona will travel to Estadio do Dragao to take on FC Porto in a Champions League group stage game looking to make it two victories in a row.

The Catalan giants have gotten off to a fantastic start in 2023/24, being unbeaten in all competitions. They have a 6–2 win–loss record through their first eight La Liga games, putting them in second place. Last Friday’s 1-0 victory over Sevilla capped off a perfect September for Xavi Hernandez’s squad.

The Spanish champions, fresh off a 5-0 rout of Royal Antwerp at home in Champions League Group Stage Matchday 1, will try to continue their domination against Porto on Matchday 2.

Team News from Barcelona

Barcelona will be without Raphinha, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong in Portugal due to hamstring injuries sustained over the weekend against Sevilla. The Brazilian is set to miss a month of action, and neither Pedri nor De Jong will return until after the match with Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s likely starting XI vs Porto (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper

Barcelona’s unrivaled No. 1 goalkeeper Marc Andre ter-Stegen will try to make it two clean sheets in a row in the Champions League.

Defence

Given Porto’s counterattacking style, Ronald Araujo, who was on the bench against Sevilla, might start for Barcelona here.

Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde will provide width, energy, and creativity from the full-back positions, while the Uruguayan is likely to pair Jules Kounde in the center of Barcelona’s defense.

Soccer lineups

Barcelona’s back four must be focused and make solid defensive plays throughout the match, but especially when Porto is in transition.

Midfield

Barcelona’s midfield depth has been thinned by the absences of Pedri and De Jong due to injury. Gavi and Ilkay Gundogan, who both played exceptionally well against Sevilla, are now locks to start for Portugal. Oriol Romeu will provide toughness and strength from the center of the field for Barcelona as the other No.8 in the starting lineup.

The back three of Gavi, Romeu, and Gundogan must do a good job of preventing goals and maintaining possession.

Attack

Due to Raphinha’s injury, Xavi must pick who will play on the right wing in attack with Robert Lewandowski and Joao Felix.

Teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal was outstanding in Barcelona’s 1-0 win against Sevilla, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see Xavi switch positions with him on the right wing.

Xavi might start Ferran Torres over Yamal in the Barcelona attack with Lewandowski and Felix, given the magnitude of the match and the fact that large clubs have historically struggled to play in this stadium. However, Yamal is available for substitution in the second half to liven up the offense.