FC Barcelona will make their Champions League debut in 2024-2025 on Thursday, September 19, against AS Monaco at the Luis II Stadium. The Barça squad will seek to maintain the good feelings generated in LaLiga, where they remain undefeated with five wins in five games. The match will also have a 'special' taste for the Catalans, who are looking for 'revenge' after the thrashing received by 'Adi' Hütter's team in the Joan Gamper Trophy (0-3).
Hansi Flick is looking to make his Champions League debut on the right foot, so it is expected that he will put 'all the meat' on the grill on the Principality pitch. However, the German, who will direct his first game on the Barça bench in European competitions, will have to introduce some variation in his starting eleven, since Dani Olmo's injury has left the midfield very 'depleted'. Here is our prediction of the lineups for the duel:
Probable lineups for Monaco-FC Barcelona in the Champions League
- Mónaco's XI: Köhn, Vanderson, Salisu, Kehrer, Caio Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Golovin, Ben Seghir, Akliouche y Embolo.
- FC Barcelona's XI: Ter Stegen, Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Balde; Casadó, Raphinha, Pedri; Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal y Lewandowski
Ter Stegen
So far this season, Marc-André has only kept his goal in the 7-0 win over Valladolid. The German, who has had little responsibility for the goals conceded in La Liga, hopes to make his debut as Barça captain in the Champions League by keeping his second clean sheet of the campaign. A difficult task, given that the Monegasques have shown they have a lot of 'gunpowder'.
Koundé-Cubarsí-Iñigo Martínez-Balde
Hansi Flick's defence is becoming more and more consolidated. Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez remain the German's undisputed centre-backs while waiting for the injured Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araújo. Meanwhile, Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde are untouchable on the wings, proving game after game that they are two of the best in the world in their positions.
Pedri-Casadó-Raphinha
There will be some changes in the centre of the pitch. Dani Olmo's injury has once again affected a midfield that has been weakened since the start of the campaign. With Pedri and Casadó being two regulars, everything points to Raphinha being the substitute for the player from Egar in this position. The Brazilian has already played in this area of the pitch in the first few games of LaLiga, so Flick could once again bet on him in the first Champions League match.
Lamine Yamal-Lewandowski-Ferran Torres
Raphinha's move to midfield would have repercussions on the attack, where Ferran Torres would complete the attacking trident alongside the undisputed Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski. The 'Shark' would once again occupy the left wing, a position he occupied at Mestalla and at Montjuïc against Athletic Club. On the other hand, the 'crack' from Mataró will seek to extend his streak to 20 consecutive games without knowing defeat, in a duel in which he is expected to be key after scoring a double in the last league match in Girona.