Hansi Flick will unlikely make any changes to the Barcelona starting lineup when they host CD Leganes at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday.
Barcelona will aim to widen the gap over Real Madrid when they welcome CD Leganes to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday night. And Hansi Flick has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Andreas Christensen and Ansu Fati have resumed training, with the duo closing in on returning to action. The update means Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are the only absentees for the home side this weekend.
Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick provided a fitness update on several players. In addition, he spoke about possibly rotating his troops this weekend, keeping one eye on the upcoming game against Atletico Madrid.
The Barcelona manager said, “It’s normal after an injury you need some time before returning to the highest level. Ansu has trained with the team. Araujo can play, it’s a step forward. He is in good shape. All the physical work is very good. The plan is that he can play for a few minutes, I don’t know if it’s a starting position. I don’t know how many. Maybe he’ll be in the starting eleven. He’s ready.”
“Leganes is tomorrow and we don’t think about Atletico. The issue is to decide on the same team, but also players who can play refreshment. It can be. What is important for injuries is that they are perfectly recoverable. I hope he recovers his rhythm. It’s not only him, it’s Gavi, it’s Araujo… We take care of the players, we protect them. They give their best to be professionals.”
While Ronald Araujo is closing in on making his first start of the 2024/25 season, Flick will likely introduce him off the bench on Sunday. So, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez will form the central defensive partnership, with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde being the two full-backs. Inaki Pena will retain his spot between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him.
As for the midfield unit, Marc Casado and Pedri should continue their pairing in the double pivot, with Gavi and Frenkie de Jong being options on the bench. Dani Olmo will reprise the no. 10 role, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal starting on the flanks. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will be the central striker for the home side.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
