Three important changes Hansi Flick is likely to make for Barcelona’s cup match against Barbastro

A few months ago, Hansi Flick’s biggest dream would have been for the team to continue as it is until 2025, since the team was simply unstoppable.

Now, however, the coach finds himself in a situation where he must hope that the team is not the version he has shown in recent months that the Catalans are falling apart.

After the Christmas break, Barcelona will return to action later this week in the Copa del Rey, where they will face UD Barbastro in their first match of the competition this season.

A large number of changes are expected given the lower ranking of the rivals and several starting players can be expected to rest.

Players like Pedri, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, who have been relatively overworked, will likely be replaced by Fermín López, Frenkie de Jong and Gerard Martín.

However, Barça Universal brings you three big changes that Flick could make tonight.

Page Contents

Toggle

Ronald Araujo by Pau Cubarsi

Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo fought hard to return from injury last month and was finally part of the squad for the team’s clash against Borussia Dortmund.

However, the team’s situation during the night and the matches against Leganés and Atlético de Madrid did not leave the coach room to give him his debut of the season.

Now facing a relatively easier opponent, Flick may consider it the best time to give the captain his season debut and rest one of his defensive pillars who has worked tirelessly throughout the season.

While both Pau Cubarsi and Iñigo Martínez have been overworked, the former may be more deserving of the rest given his tender age and could therefore start on the bench.

Wojciech Szczesny for Iñaki Peña

It has been a long wait for Wojciech Szczesny since he signed as a substitute following Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending injury.

Initially thought to become a starter by default, the Polish star was pushed to the bench when the manager opted to trust Iñaki Peña over him in goal.

He The Masia The graduate did not do too much harm to justify his replacement, and the new signing remained permanently on the bench.

With the Copa del Rey just around the corner, his debut is just around the corner and it will be interesting to see how he performs.

After all, it is not completely ruled out that he could replace Peña now if he performs at his usual level.

Ansu Fati for Raphinha

The third major change planned for Barcelona’s cup clash later this week is youngster Ansu Fati returning to the line-up after recovering from his injury.

The youngster has been decent this season and has shown some sporadic flashes of brilliance, so the manager could take the opportunity to give him a start against Barbastro.

In all likelihood, he will replace Raphinha, who has barely rested this season, as the Catalans will require the Brazilian to be fresh for their upcoming Spanish Super Cup campaign.

With the forwards showing clear signs of exhaustion in recent weeks, Fati can make a case for more regular minutes if he steps up on Saturday night.