FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make some changes to his line up with a view to going seven … [+] points clear by beating Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make major changes to his line up with a view to going seven points clear by beating Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.
At his prematch press conference before the weekend, the German confirmed that “obviously” there will be some rotations in El Sadar considering the amount of games that have piled up between international breaks in September and October.
“Obviously there will be some rotations, we have to do it. We also need experienced players like Raphinha or [Robert] Lewandowski, who are very important for us, we have to see how they feel,” Flick stated.
Flick will indeed rest his August Player of the Month Raphinha, who is among Spain’s top scorers, in order for Pau Torres to play on the left wing.
The man currently in line for the Pichichi, Lewandowski, won’t sit this one out, however, but 17-year-old right winger Lamine Yamal does as Ferran Torres mans his flank.
In midfield, Pedri comes back to the fold to operate alongside Eric Garcia.
Fortunately for the number 14, this development doesn’t come at the expense of Pablo Torre who was impressive in his last two starts against Villarreal and Getafe and gets a third here.
There is bad news for Marc Casado, though, who can’t find a place in the first XI.
Flick’s defense has major changes compared to thar which helped Inaki Pena keep a clean sheet against Getafe last time out in Montjuic.
Only Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde keep their places, with Gerard Martin and Sergi Dominguez coming in for Alejandro Balde and Inigo Martinez.
With the Spanish capital derby taking place 24 hours later, winning at Osasuna gives Barca the chance to go seven points clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid at the summit.
There is also an opportunity to make history by racking up eight wins from eight in 2024/2025, but Flick insists that this is not where the emphasis is.
“It’s always good to win. We don’t focus on whether it’s a record. We go there and we have prepared to win, although I know it is very difficult,” he said.
“They are very strong at home. I’ve heard that their stadium has an amazing atmosphere and that the fans are very supportive of their team. I like that,” he added.
FC Barcelona Versus Osasuna Starting XI: Pena; Gerard Martin, Sergi Dominguez, Cubarsi, Kounde; Eric, Torre, Pedri; Pau Victor, Lewandowski, Ferran
