Barcelona have made a superb begin to the Hansi Flick period and are on the lookout for a sixth successive La Liga victory once they go to Villarreal on Sunday.
A tough begin to Barca’s Champions League marketing campaign – dropping 2-1 to Monaco midweek – could have dented confidence ranges barely, however the Catalan giants could have ambitions of bouncing again on the Estadio de la Ceramica this weekend to take care of their lead on the summit of the desk.
Accidents and suspensions have made Flick’s job considerably more difficult heading to Villarreal, with the likes of Dani Olmo, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo all lacking. Ferran Torres’ suspension provides the previous Bayern Munich coach even fewer choices.
Together with his squad stretched skinny, right here is how Flick might line Barcelona up this weekend.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – The German’s performances have been patchy this season to say the least however he faces no severe competitors for his beginning berth. Off the tempo once more in Monaco on Thursday.
RB: Jules Kounde – Kounde has impressed this season below a brand new regime and continues to develop right into a high-quality right-back. He was significantly impactful in the course of the 4-1 win over Girona final weekend.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – The teen has been labored to the bone this season given a scarcity of options in his place and he shall be compelled to begin as soon as extra with Andreas Christensen and Araujo sidelined.
CB: Inigo Martinez – The tempo and trickery of Villarreal’s ahead line might go away Martinez unstuck, as was the case for the Spanish centre-back in opposition to Monaco. Nonetheless, like Cubarsi, there’s little likelihood of a relaxation.
LB: Alejandro Balde – Balde was compelled to do a major quantity of defensive work as Barca went down to 10 man in opposition to Monaco however he ought to have extra freedom to roam the left flank on Sunday.
DM: Marc Casado – Within the chaos on the Stade Louis II, Casado got here to the fore for Barcelona with a mature and imposing midfield show below immense stress. He’ll be key on the weekend given his aspect’s midfield accidents.
DM: Eric Garcia – After seeing crimson in opposition to Monaco and costing his aspect, Garcia is on the trail for redemption this Sunday. More likely to characteristic in a two-man pivot, the orthodox centre-back shall be aiming to last more than he did on Thursday.
RW: Lamine Yamal – The dazzling younger winger was once more on the coronary heart of issues in opposition to Monaco, taking his tally for the season as much as eight mixed objectives and assists following his first Champions League strike.
AM: Pedri – With Olmo absent and Torres suspended, Pedri could also be moved right into a quantity ten function inside Flick’s system. Together with his technical high quality and eye for a cross, he’ll be aiming to unlock a defence and not using a clear sheet this time period.
LW: Raphinha – The Brazilian has flown out of the blocks this season, peaking with a hat-trick in opposition to Actual Valladolid on matchday three, and he is created extra possibilities (17) than any of his teammates in La Liga to date.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Barca scored seven instances in opposition to Villarreal final marketing campaign however Lewandowski solely managed one. He is already bagged 4 this time period and shall be keen to enhance upon final season’s document in opposition to the Yellow Submarine.
