Problems for Xavi with Abde, Ilias and Jutgla unavailable against Benfica
The young forwards cannot be involved in Tuesday's big UCL clash
Xavi left the Catalan derby with three points under his arm and next up is Benfica on Tuesday. A huge game in the Champions League with the team obliged to win unless they want to go to Munich to try and beat Bayern. Xavi has a problem in attack.
Ansu Fati, Dembele and Sergino Dest are injured, while none of Abde, Ilias or Jutgla can play.
Memphis, Luuk de Jong and Yusuf Demir are the only options.
Abde and Ferran Jutgla joined the team too recently so cannot be registered to play in Europe. Ilias can but the problem is that he is suspended in the UEFA Youth League, which applies in the Champions League too.
Xavi will likely keep Gavi as a false winger, with Memphis Depay up front, while Coutinho or Demir will play in the third place.
Both came on for a few minutes against Espanyol, with Coutinho getting a bit more time.
There is another option; that Xavi could change system. A 4-2-3-1 would allow the coach to use various players behind Memphis in attack.
Unlikely but still possible is a 3-5-2 system, with three centre backs and two wing backs, with Araujo coming in and Mingueza or Sergi Roberto on the right flank.
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