Hansi Flick’s Catalonian prepare continues to roll!
After securing native bragging rights with a 3-1 win over Espanyol final weekend, Barcelona continued their successful run with a complete 5-2 victory over Crimson Star Belgrade. They’ve now received seven on the bounce and sit atop La Liga, though their lead on the summit was trimmed to 6 factors after Actual Madrid breezed previous Osasuna on Saturday.
Journeys to the Anoeta are hardly ever straight ahead, however Actual Sociedad have provided little greater than mediocrity initially of the 2024/25 marketing campaign and rank eleventh within the Spanish high flight forward of the league leaders’ go to.
Nonetheless, this bout might give Flick a couple of complications.
This is the Barcelona group he might decide for Sunday’s sport in San Sebastian.
GK: Inaki Pena – Some would possibly’ve suspected Wojciech Szczesny to return in and assume Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s position after Barcelona introduced him out of retirement, however Flick has to this point retained his religion in Pena.
RB: Jules Kounde – The Frenchman has been sensible in 2024 and is beginning to emerge as one in all Europe’s finest two-way full-backs. Kounde’s changing into a daily contributor within the last third.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – His Terry Butcher antics imply he already boasts an iconic gladiator picture on the age of 17, and the head harm he sustained on Tuesday night time is unlikely to discourage him. The younger centre-back will put on a masks if he does characteristic this weekend.
CB: Inigo Martinez – The previous Sociedad centre-back has discovered his toes in Catalonia and is prospering in Flick’s aspect. Martinez was on the scoresheet throughout Barca’s 5-2 win on Tuesday.
LB: Alejandro Balde – After a irritating 2023/24, Balde has returned to his dynamic finest down Barca’s left flank. An intriguing duel with Takefusa Kubo awaits.
CM: Pedri – Utilised increased up in Belgrade, Pedri could possibly be restored to the pivot the place he is thrived this season. The Spaniard is injury-free and totally joyous to look at in the midst of the park.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – It is harsh on Marc Casado, who’s been a revelation initially of the brand new season, however Flick should certainly be tempted to play two of the world’s main midfielders in the identical midfield pivot. De Jong was included within the XI on Tuesday and can change into a key a part of this group.
RM: Lamine Yamal – {The teenager} would not do rests, and he is not going to overlook out right here on what could possibly be a difficult encounter for the league leaders. Yamal has 12 La Liga aim contributions in as many video games this time period.
AM: Dani Olmo – The house invading Spaniard was the star of final weekend’s bragging rights declare in opposition to Espanyol, and he was handed some respite on Tuesday. Fermin Lopez is knocking on his compatriot’s door, however Flick will certainly go along with Olmo as his quantity 10 on Sunday.
LM: Raphinha – There are only a few gamers acting at a better stage than Raphinha proper now. The Brazilian is prospering as an in-behind runner inside Flick’s framework. A key outlet on this Barca group, Raphinha’s recorded 13 aim contributions in 12 league video games and was productive but once more in midweek.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Not even probably the most optimistic followers envisaged Lewandowski having fun with the resurgence he has initially of 2024/25. The Pole has been sensible for this group, and appears a lot sharper in comparison with final season. The striker has seven targets in his earlier 5 appearances in all competitions.
