Possible lineups for Barcelona v Porto clash

The Catalans missed the chance to qualify from Group H with two games to spare when they suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in Hamburg at the start of November.

However, a victory over second-placed Porto at home will send Barcelona through to the knockout phase and lift some of the tension after a stuttering run of form over the past month.

"It's a very important match, it's vital. If we win we would be assured of finishing in the top two, after two years without being able to qualify for the last 16," Xavi said at Monday's pre-match news conference.

Barcelona are without teenage midfielder Gavi for the rest of the season after he sustained a devastating cruciate ligament injury while on Spain duty. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is also a doubt for the Porto game after he hurt his back while away with Germany.

Barcelona possible lineup: Pena (GK); Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gundogan, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski and Felix.

Porto possible lineup: Costa (GK); Mario, Pepe, Carmo, Sanusi; Galeno, Varela, Eustaquio, Aquino; Evanilson and Taremi.

 

November 28, 2023