Barcelona Standout Unlikely to Start Against PSG Despite Performance Cadiz

FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez still has not decided on his starting 11 for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie against Paris Saint-Germain. However, one player shouldn’t be expected to be in the starting lineup.

João Félix scored in the 1-0 win over Cadiz on Saturday. Although he performed well over the weekend, one report says it was not enough for the Portugal international to get himself into the starting lineup.

Clearly, his aspiration is to start on Wednesday in the second leg of the quarterfinals against PSG. However, SPORT reports that there’s a factor limiting his chances and it’s not the fact that both Raphinha and Lamine rested against Cadiz. 

Félix’s disadvantage has more to do with the lineup PSG manager Luis Enrique will field at Montjuïc. The Spanish outlet adds that Achraf Hakimi, who was suspended in the first-leg match, will once again play right back for the Parisian team. 

The former Real Madrid player is one of the best full-backs in the world, especially thanks to his ability to repeatedly join the attack. His strength is one of PSG’s weapons, and Xavi will need to consider the Moroccan’s runs from the left side of Barcelona’s attack.

Given such a situation, the presence of a Raphinha, always heavily involved in defensive duties, becomes even more important.