Barcelona’s conflict with Chelsea in tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League fixture is shaping as much as be some of the tactically advanced matches for Hansi Flick.
Whereas the group enters the match with renewed confidence, a sequence of returning gamers has created a number of choice dilemmas throughout the pitch, forcing Flick to weigh up type, health and stability earlier than naming his beginning XI.
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One of many few positions with none uncertainty is the goalkeeper slot. Joan García, who featured towards Athletic Membership, will retain his spot between the posts.
What in regards to the defence?
Moreover, Jules Kounde and Pau Cubarsi are nailed-on starters, however the different two locations stay open.
Towards Athletic Membership, Gerard Martin and Alejandro Balde stuffed the remaining defensive roles. Nevertheless, Balde didn’t end the match after taking a blow to the pinnacle.
Even so, all indicators level to the truth that , whereas the centre-back partnering Cubarsi will seemingly be both Ronald Araujo or Eric García.
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In line with , each have educated at full depth, making the choice much more difficult.
The midfield dilemma
Who will companion Frenkie de Jong towards Chelsea? (Picture by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Photographs)
Midfield is one other puzzle totally. Frenkie de Jong is again and anticipated to begin, however who joins him remains to be unclear.
Fermin Lopez delivered a superb efficiency towards Athletic, Eric Garcia continues to impress at any time when known as upon, and Marc Casado can also be an choice.
Flick could even shift issues round and transfer Fermin right into a extra superior function, permitting Dani Olmo to take a relaxation. However what Flick will do is a matter of last-minute determination.
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The attacking conundrum
On the appropriate flank, nonetheless, there may be completely no room for debate that the place belongs to Lamine Yamal.
The left facet presents a special situation. Raphinha made a robust return over the weekend, however after spending almost two months injured, Flick shouldn’t be anticipated to hurry him again into the beginning eleven.
Marcus Rashford, in the meantime, has been in glorious type and brings priceless expertise towards English groups, making him a really seemingly starter.
Up entrance, the dilemma is selecting between Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the 2 forwards who’re in pink sizzling type.