Ferran Torres will be unavailable to represent Barcelona against Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday evening.
Barcelona will be eager to continue the perfect start to the 2024/25 La Liga season when they lock horns with Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica on Sunday evening. The Blaugrana will be eager to prove that the midweek defeat to AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League opener was only a blip.
Hansi Flick has a new roster issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Ferran Torres is unavailable to take on Villarreal after getting himself sent off last weekend against Girona. While Eric Garcia saw red against AS Monaco earlier this week, he is available to face the Yellow Submarine.
However, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong are still on the sidelines, although the latter is closing in on returning to action. Flick discussed the progress of Gavi and de Jong during his pre-match press conference. In addition, he spoke about how he will manage the fixture pile-up.
The Barcelona manager said, “It is not the plan to recover. I don’t count on them, I only focus on those who can play, those who are active. De Jong doesn’t have an easy injury, the same as Gavi. I/m happy with their recovery but they need time. I think they [Pedri and Marc Casado] will be able to play. Marc had no pain and is better today. The same goes for Pedri. We have to look after them, let them rest.”
“We don’t make excuses, third games in seven days, but we can manage it. We have to look after the players. We have to manage this with legs. The medical team is managing it well. We have to look after Cubarsi, Pedri… but we have to focus on recovery.”
Pedri and Marc Casado will retain their spots in the middle of the park, with Eric Garcia lining up as the holding midfielder in the absence of other midfielders. Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for Barcelona against Villarreal, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal continuing as the wide players in the final third.
The backline should see now changes, with Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde retaining their spots in the backline. Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi will pair up in the central defensive partnership. Captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is an automatic pick between the sticks despite his howlers against AS Monaco.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Casado, Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
