FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make three big changes to his side when it faces Getafe … [+] away in La Liga on Saturday.
Getty Images
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make two big changes to his side when it faces Getafe away in La Liga on Saturday.
The German imposed several midweek, as the Catalans followed on from smashing Real Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah to net the same amount of goals past Real Betis and advance to the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
Reminded at his prematch press conference that putting the ball in onion bag in El Coliseum is often an arduous task, Flick answered that, “What we know from the past is that it’s hard to score there. We’ve talked about this topic and hopefully our plan will work.”
Barca beat Getafe by a slim margin of 1-0 last time out in Montjuic, and Flick revealed that a lack of goals and rhythm against Jose Bordalas’ tough outfit has already been discussed.
“That’s what we said during the team meeting. The important thing is to play the way we want,” Flick stated.
The ex-Bayern boss was tight-lipped on whether there will be rotations, answering: “For us, the next game is always the most important. I know there are more games ahead of us, but we always say that we focus on the next games.”
Even so, he will certainly make changes with Alejandro Balde first taking his place back from Gerard Martin at left back.
As Wojciech Szczesny is still suspended, Inaki Pena continues in goal after returning to the fold for the mentioned 5-1 victory over Real Betis.
The rest of the defense is also as before, with brace scorer Jules Kounde the right back while Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi form a central partnership.
In midfield, Marc Casado teams up with Pedri once more in a double pivot, at the expense of Frenkie de Jong – who Flick praised for his showing against the Andalusians.
Dani Olmo gets cut as well, as Gavi is the CAM flanked by wingers Raphinha and a Lamine Yamal many are calling the best in the world, with a previously rested Robert Lewandowski the central number 9.
FC Barcelona First XI Vs. Getafe: Pena; Balde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Kounde; Pedri, Casado; Raphinha, Gavi, Lamine; Lewandowski
