Life with Hansi Flick couldn’t be much sweeter right now and Barcelona have the chance to hammer home rivals Espanyol and extend their La Liga lead to nine points this weekend.
The Blaugrana’s 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid last weekend in The classic he has prepared them very well for a less intense local derby with Barcelona’s Espanyol on Sunday. Considering their impressive form and Espanyol’s irregular start to the season, Barça could go up on the scoreboard at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.
Injuries continue to limit Flick’s talent, but the German coach has welcomed back key midfielders Gavi, Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo in the past month. He also has the most devastating forward line in Europe at the moment, with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha looking to add to their tally against struggling Espanyol.
Here’s how Barça could line up in the derby.
GK: Inaki Pena – Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s long-term injury has opened the door for Pena, who has seized his opportunity in the starting line-up with both hands. Emergency signing Wojciech Szczesny has yet to feature for La Blaugrana.
RB: Jules Kounde – Kounde should enjoy a quieter evening against Espanyol who failed to do so again Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior. Still, the defender performed admirably against the Brazilian superstar.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – The relentless 17-year-old earned a clean sheet against perennial offside Kylian Mbappe last time out and his outstanding displays are limiting the impact of the absences of Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen.
CB: Inigo Martinez – Martínez has been on fire in both boxes recently, adding another assist to his tally last Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 33-year-old is aging like fine wine in Barcelona’s defence.
LB: Alexandre Balde – He also created one against Madrid as Lewandowski and company. has exploded in the forward line and will be eager to get his sixth clean sheet of the season against an inconsistent Espanyol side.
DM: Frenkie de Jong – After a long stay on the sidelines, Barça has been understandably cautious with De Jong’s return. He has now made four substitute appearances since his comeback and the Dutchman could be used from the start on Sunday.
DM: Peter – Pedri will be delighted to see his colleagues back in the engine room, taking some pressure off his creative shoulders. The young Spaniard was an outstanding performer The classic.
RW: Lamine Yamal – He became the youngest goalscorer of the year The classic story last weekend while still breaking records. The teenager and Kopa Trophy winner He has already made five goals and six assists in La Liga this season.
AM: Dani Olmo – Olmo has also returned from injury in recent games, although he has been limited to cameos from the bench. With an interrupted week of training under his belt, the summer recruit should displace Fermín López in the number ten spot.
LW: Raphinha – After being maligned frequently throughout his Barcelona career, the Brazilian has found new life under Flick. He has seven goals and five assists in his last seven outings for club and country.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Speaking of impressive form, Lewandowski was another star The classicscoring twice and taking his season tally to 17 goals in 14 games in all competitions.
