Barça in search of six from six when they take on Monchengladbach in Germany

Barcelona’s Champions League debut this season could not have been better. Seven goals against Celtic and three points means a win in Germany on Wednesday will move them closer to qualification for the knockout rounds. 

A second consecutive win would set up a mouthwatering double-header with Manchester City, who beat Borussia Monchengladbach in their first game and travel to Glasgow in their second match., 

Once again, Luis Enrique will not have his Gala XI available. Against Celtic he left Andres Iniesta on the bench as the midfielder returned from an injury and chose Samuel Umtiti over Javier Mascherano. In Monchengladbach he will be without both Umtiti and Lionel Messi. 

Everything suggests that Rafinha, as in Gijon, will take the Argentine’s place in the side. The formula worked at El Molinon. Rafinha left space for Sergi Roberto, as Messi does, and at the same time boosted the numbers in midfield. 

Borussia are a side who don’t mind if a game gets out of control. One way to prevent this is to keep the ball and with a fourth midfielder, like Rafinha, Barça can make sure of that. Rafinha’s characteristics seem ideal, but Arda Turan and Denis Suarez are other options.  

There are no doubts in the midfield triangle, with Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets all set to start, while in defence Mascherano will return after resting against Sporting Gijon. 

LEADER NEYMAR 

It will once again be essential for Neymar to show that he’s capable of assuming the leadership in the absence of Messi. In Gijon he complied with two goals and he started the Champions League in fine form, scoring one and creating four in the win over Celtic. 

He feels comfortable in a similar role with his selection and Luis Suarez is the perfect ally to help him through a period of time without Messi and without serious consequences for Luis Enrique. 

FC Barcelona training session: Workout at... por fcbarcelona