Lamine Yamal remains on the sidelines, but Dani Olmo should return to the Barcelona starting lineup against Celta Vigo at Balaidos on Saturday.
Barcelona will aim to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Celta Vigo at Balaidos on Saturday night. And Hansi Flick has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Ferran Torres is fit and available after recovering from a thigh injury. In addition, Robert Lewandowski has shrugged off a knock that forced him to miss international duty with Poland during the break.
However, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Marc Bernal, Ansu Fati, and Lamine Yamal remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Flick spoke about Yamal and other players during his pre-match press conference.
The Barcelona manager said, “He’s an important player for us but we have to adapt, there are other players. Lamine can’t play tomorrow, we’ll see when he can return. Against Real Sociedad, we didn’t play well, it had nothing to do with Lamine’s absence.”
“We are limited in terms of the squad regarding Lamine, but we have players with the quality to play in different positions. We will see what can happen in the game, and that also has a bearing on tomorrow. We will see what happens tomorrow. Who will be replacing Lamine in the XI? It could be Raphinha, Pau, Dani, Fermin… We have many options.”
The Barcelona boss continued, “Araujo could return to group training on Sunday. Christensen’s injury report? I can’t confirm anything. Of course, our goal is to have him back early and that’s what the medical staff is trying to do. Gavi starting tomorrow? Yes, he could start.”
With Araujo, Christensen, and Garcia unavailable, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez will form the central defensive pairing. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will be the two full-backs, with Inaki Pena taking his spot between the sticks.
As for the midfield unit, Frenkie de Jong should pair up with Marc Casado in the double pivot, with Pedri reprising the no. 10 role. Dani Olmo should replace Fermin Lopez on the right flank, with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski completing the numbers in the final third.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, De Jong; Olmo, Pedri, Raphinha; Lewandowski
