Barcelona vs. Barbastro Team Selection: Flick Implemented Several Alterations by Flick
Barcelona vs. Barbastro Team Selection: Flick Implemented Several Alterations by Flick
FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick plans to shake up his regular lineup for the team's first game of 2025 in the Copa del Rey against Barbastro.
Utilizing this chance, he intends to give first-team appearances to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and dependable center back Ronald Araujo.
The Copa del Rey outing will serve as a relief for Barca from the fiasco surrounding the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.
Flick's only summer acquisitions were given temporary permits to play until December 31. Regrettably, both a judge and La Liga denied their eligibility to participate beyond this date, making them ineligible for this fixture.
At a pre-match press conference on Friday, Flick confessed his discontent with the situation but maintained a positive outlook across the squad.
"You've seen it today as well," he told journalists, granted access to at least 15 minutes of the training session before the manager's meeting with the press.
"They always have fun and enjoy themselves, they love competition, the atmosphere in our team is fantastic. That's why we love being here," he added.
Despite the majority of questions directing towards Olmo and Pau Victor, the former Bayern Munich coach revealed his recollection of the previous Copa del Rey encounter against Barbastro, where Barca narrowly won 3-2 under his predecessor Xavi Hernandez's guidance.
"We've started training, it's the first game. I watched last year's match, and it was a tough contest. We need to stay focused from the first minute and show our abilities and our game," Flick stressed.
As previously reported, Szczesny is set to make his comeback for the side he returned to after Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's season-long injury.
Araujo partners Inigo Martinez at the heart of defense, while Kounde and Gerard Martin get the nod at left back and right back.
In lieu of Pedri and Marc Casadao, De Jong and Eric assume their roles as double pivots. Noteworthy, Pedri isn't benched entirely; instead, he slides into a more advanced three, acting as the CAM, with Fermin Lopez to his left and Pablo Torre to his right.
Flick mentioned his fond memories of the Copa del Rey, specifically recalling Barca's narrow 3-2 win against Barbastro during Xavi Hernandez's tenure as manager.
The German tactician also highlighted the strong performance of Ronald Araujo under his predecessor, as Araujo will once again partner with Inigo Martinez in Barca's defense against Barbastro.
In the absence of Pedri and Marc Casadao, Flick has decided to deploy Frenkie de Jong and Eric in the double pivot role, with Pedri shifting to a more advanced position as the CAM, flanked by Fermin Lopez and Pablo Torre.
With Wojciech Szczesny set to make his comeback, Hansi Flick is planning to give him and Ronald Araujo their first-team appearances for the Copa del Rey clash against their hometown rivals, Barbastro, a town where Xavi Hernandez hails from.