Hansi Flick will undoubtedly have one eye cast towards Atletico Madrid’s visit next Saturday, but his Barcelona team must first get the job done against Leganes on Sunday night.
Barca head into their next domestic duel off the back of a significant Champions League victory in midweek. Their 3-2 triumph over Borussia Dortmund means Flick’s side have all but booked their place in the round of 16 of the competition.
Flick won’t be on the sidelines this weekend (or for Atleti’s visit) as a result of the two-game ban he picked up for his remonstrations at Real Betis last weekend. However, he will still be picking the Barcelona team.
Here’s how Barca could line up for Leganes’ visit on Sunday.
GK: Inaki Pena – The rate at which Barcelona’s defensive line is being breached means Pena rarely has a dull outing. The Spaniard may fancy a quieter game on Sunday, however.
RB: Jules Kounde – It hasn’t been a perfect season for Kounde thus far, but he was back to his very best on Wednesday as he tamed the threat of rising star Jamie Gittens.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – The teenager still has plenty to learn – depicted by his errors in midweek – and he may be the one to drop out of the team once Ronald Araujo is ready to return to the XI.
CB: Inigo Martinez – The veteran defender will hope he’s done enough this season to convince Flick that it’s he who should be partnering Araujo moving forward. The Barca captain is set to earn his first minutes of the season on Sunday.
LB: Alejandro Balde – Balde was made to work hard by teenager Julien Duranville in Dortmund, and it’s fair to say that the Barca left-back has so far failed to return to the heights of his breakout campaign. Still, he’s comfortably Flick’s best option in this role.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – De Jong’s ankles may be tiring, but Pedri could do with a breather ahead of next weekend’s huge games. The Dutchman has to play his way into form.
CM: Marc Casado – The industrious duel-winner has been superb this season and is showing few signs of wear and tear. Casado should be included in the XI again on Sunday, but perhaps Flick will consider taking him off on the hour mark.
RM: Lamine Yamal – Yamal showed his quality once again in midweek as he recorded an assist for the third game running. He’s another star Flick should be looking to preserve for Atleti’s visit.
AM: Fermin Lopez – There could be some rotation here after Fermin had an impact off the bench in Dortmund. Dani Olmo was similarly brilliant on Wednesday night, but his compatriot could get the nod on Sunday. Olmo is a sure bet to start next Saturday.
LM: Raphinha – The stand-in skipper celebrated his 28th birthday on Saturday and Flick has already confirmed Raphinha won’t be rested this weekend. He continued his incredible season by scoring the opening goal on Wednesday.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Ferran Torres is proving his worth as a valuable alternative, but the Spaniard’s heroics in midweek are unlikely to see him displace Lewandowski. The Pole was quiet on Wednesday amid an otherwise excellent season.
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