Barcelona have made a wonderful begin to the Hansi Flick period and are in search of a sixth successive La Liga victory after they go to Villarreal on Sunday.
A troublesome begin to Barca’s Champions League marketing campaign – dropping 2-1 to Monaco midweek – might have dented confidence ranges barely, however the Catalan giants may 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 tougher heading to Villarreal, with the likes of Dani Olmo, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo all lacking. Ferran Torres’ suspension offers the previous Bayern Munich coach even fewer choices.
Along 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 critical 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 an absence of options in his place and he will likely be compelled to start out as soon as extra with Andreas Christensen and Araujo sidelined.
CB: Inigo Martinez – The tempo and trickery of Villarreal’s ahead line might depart Martinez unstuck, as was the case for the Spanish centre-back towards Monaco. Nevertheless, like Cubarsi, there’s little probability of a relaxation.
LB: Alejandro Balde – Balde was compelled to do a major quantity of defensive work as Barca went down to 10 man towards 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 strain. He’ll be key on the weekend given his facet’s midfield accidents.
DM: Eric Garcia – After seeing pink towards Monaco and costing his facet, Garcia is on the trail for redemption this Sunday. More likely to function in a two-man pivot, the orthodox centre-back will likely 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 towards 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. Along with his technical high quality and eye for a cross, he’ll be aiming to unlock a defence with out a clear sheet this time period.
LW: Raphinha – The Brazilian has flown out of the blocks this season, peaking with a hat-trick towards Actual Valladolid on matchday three, and he is created extra probabilities (17) than any of his teammates in La Liga to date.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Barca scored seven occasions towards Villarreal final marketing campaign however Lewandowski solely managed one. He is already bagged 4 this time period and will likely be keen to enhance upon final season’s document towards the Yellow Submarine.
