How will Barcelona line up against Dynamo Kiev?

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Ronald Koeman’s men continue their Champions League campaign

Barcelona get back to Champions League action on Tuesday when they take on Dynamo Kiev at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Ukraine.

Ronald Koeman’s side will have to pick themselves up from Saturday’s defeat to Atletico Madrid but have been perfect so far in their first three Champions League outings.

Yet Barca will also be without some key players for the trip to Kiev which means Koeman will have to shuffle his pack. Let’s look at who might feature:

Defence

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There will be no Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique or Ronald Araujo on Tuesday, while it seems unlikely Samuel Umtiti will make the squad either.

Sergino Dest should therefore return at right-back, while Frenkie de Jong could drop into the backline to partner Clement Lenglet at center-back.

Jordi Alba looks set to continue at left-back, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen will continue in goal and will be keen to make up for his error against Atletico.

Midfield

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Miralem Pjanic will be hoping to keep his place in the starting XI after getting the nod against Atletico, but the game is expected to come too soon for Sergio Busquets to make his return from injury.

Koeman could therefore turn to Carles Alena against Dynamo Kiev. The midfielder’s only minutes this season came in the home game against the Ukrainian side but he could get his first start of the season here.

Attack

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Barca struggled in attack against Atletico which could see Koeman make changes to his forward line. Philippe Coutinho is an option to come into the starting XI after making his return from injury as a substitute.

Koeman must also decide whether to keep faith with Antoine Griezmann after another disappointing performance from the Frenchman against his former side at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele could start again in attack, although Martin Braithwaite and Francisco Trincao are available if Koeman wants to make further changes to his starting XI.

Possible XI: Ter Stegen; Dest, De Jong, Lenglet, Alba; Pjanic, Alena; Dembele, Griezmann, Coutinho, Messi.

How do you think Barcelona should line up against Dynamo Kiev? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!

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