Barcelona Announces Surprise Lineup Against Newcastle: Araujo Included

Barcelona is set to face Newcastle in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday at 21:00. Coach Hansi Flick has announced a surprising lineup that includes Ronald Araujo, who steps in at right-back due to Eric Garcia’s injury.

Barcelona’s Surprising Lineup Against Newcastle

The starting eleven for Barcelona promises to bring excitement, featuring Joan Garcia as goalkeeper. Joan aims to maintain his solid performance from recent matches, where he succeeded in keeping clean sheets against Atlético Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

Defensive Setup

• Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia
• Right-back: Ronald Araujo
• Left-back: Joao Cancelo
• Center-backs: Gerard Martin and Pau Cubarsí

Barcelona’s defense will miss both Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde, putting additional pressure on the rest of the lineup. Araujo’s presence is a key element in this matchup.

Midfield Composition

• Governing the midfield: Pedri, Marc Bernal, and Fermín López

Pedri’s return to the starting position is significant. After a grueling performance against Atlético, he was rested against Athletic but made a crucial impact after coming on as a substitute.

Attacking Front

• Forward Line: Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski

Barcelona’s attack will feature Raphinha and Lamine Yamal on the wings, with Lewandowski at the forefront. Yamal is currently under the threat of suspension, adding a layer of urgency to his performance.

Official Lineup

The full lineup for Barcelona in the Champions League against Newcastle is as follows:

This lineup reflects Barcelona’s tactical strategy, aiming for offensive efficiency while adapting to player absences. The matchup against Newcastle will be crucial in advancing their Champions League campaign.