Hansi Flick will no doubt have one eye on the visit of Atlético Madrid next Saturday, but his Barcelona side will first have to get the job done against Leganés on Sunday night.
Barça face their next domestic duel after an important victory in the Champions League in midweek. theirs 3-2 victory at Borussia Dortmund it means Flick’s side have all but booked their place in the last 16 of the competition.
Flick will not be on the sidelines this weekend (or for Atleti’s visit) as a result of the two game ban picked up his protests at Real Betis last weekend. Despite this, he will continue to choose the Barcelona team.
This is how Barça could line up for the visit of Leganés on Sunday.
GK: Inaki Pena – The pace with which Barcelona’s defensive line is being broken means that Pena rarely has a dull outing. The Spaniard may be looking forward to a quieter game on Sunday, however.
RB: Jules Kounde – It hasn’t been a perfect season for Kounde so far, but he was back to his best on Wednesday as he tamed the threat of rising star Jamie Gittens.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – The teenager still has a lot to learn – which can be seen in his mistakes in midweek – and he could be the one to leave the team once Ronald Araujo is ready to return to the XI.
CB: Inigo Martinez – The veteran defender will hope to have done enough this season to convince Flick that he is the one who should partner with Araujo moving forward. The Barcelona captain will win his first minutes of the season on Sunday.
LB: Alexandre Balde – Balde was made to work hard by teenager Julien Duranville at Dortmund, and it’s fair to say that the Barca left-back has so far been unable to return to the heights of his great campaign. Still, he’s comfortably Flick’s best choice in the role.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – De Jong’s ankles may be tired, but Pedri could take a breather ahead of next weekend’s big games. The Dutchman needs to get fit.
CM: Marc Casado – The industrious duel winner has been excellent this season and is showing few signs of wear and tear. Casado should be included in the XI again on Sunday, but Flick may consider taking him out in time.
RM: Lamine Yamal – Yamal proved his quality again in midweek when he recorded an assist for the third game in a row. He is another star that Flick should look to preserve for the visit of Atlético.
AM: Fermín López – There could be some rotation here after Fermin made an impact off the Dortmund bench. Dani Olmo was similarly brilliant on Wednesday night, but his compatriot could get the nod on Sunday. Olmo is a safe bet to start next Saturday.
LM: Raphinha – The stand-in skipper celebrated his 28th birthday on Saturday and Flick has already confirmed that Raphinha will not be rested this weekend. He continued his incredible season by scoring the opening goal on Wednesday.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Ferran Torres is proving his worth as a valuable alternative, but the Spaniard’s midweek heroics are unlikely to see him displace Lewandowski. The Pole was quiet on Wednesday amid an excellent season.
