Barcelona are set to face Porto tonight in an important Champions League tie, and they are missing a number of key players.
Xavi has a dilemma on his hands as midfielders Pedri and Frenkie De Jong are still absent, whilst winger Raphinha has also picked up an injury.
Barcelona bounced back from their draw against Mallorca last week to beat Sevilla, courtesy of a Sergio Ramos own goal, and they will be looking to take the initiative in the group having beaten Royal Antwerp 5-0 in their opening game.
Xavi looks set to pick a strong side, with Barcelona’s victory against Sevilla taking place last Friday, giving enough time for rest, recovery and travel for his players, and a win could allow him to rotate later on in the group stage.
Who could start against Porto?
There will be some surprise if Xavi chooses any other defence than what appears to be his first-choice for the time being. Joao Cancelo has played in every game since his arrival, but he looks set to start in his native Portugal, and could be rested at the weekend instead.
Ronald Araujo made his return from injury against Mallorca and was not fully fit, and Xavi will likely use Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen instead.
In midfield, Oriol Romeu looks set to return to the base, after being dropped against Sevilla. The 32-year-old has had a mixed start to life since his arrival from Girona in the summer, but given the injuries elsewhere, he will have an important role to play in a tough away game.
He could even come up against a player he replaced in Nico Gonzalez, as Barcelona sold the La Masia product to Porto to make room for Romeu, with Xavi wanting a more experienced option to replace Sergio Busquets.
Upfront, the only question mark remains of which of Ferran Torres or Lamine Yamal will start on the right wing. Whilst Xavi wants to be careful over overplaying Yamal, he could start tonight, before being rested at the weekend, and he will have another chance to shine on the biggest stage.
Predicted Barcelona XI against Porto: Ter Stegen, Joao Cancelo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde; Oriol Romeu, Ilkay Gundogan, Gavi; Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Joao Felix.