Wojciech Szczesny will start between the sticks for Barcelona against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final in Riyadh on Sunday.
Barcelona will aim to reclaim the Spanish Super Cup title when they lock horns with Real Madrid at King Abdullah Sports City in Riyadh on Sunday evening. And Hansi Flick has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The Catalan giants have finally registered Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, albeit temporarily. So, the duo will be in the matchday squad against Real Madrid, with the former in contention to return to the starting lineup this weekend.
However, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Bernal remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick discussed Olmo’s return while speaking about the goalkeeping conundrum.
The Barcelona manager said, “Yes, obviously. He [Olmo] can play. He’s delighted and happy and he’ll be back in the team. Gavi performed at a great level in the last game. It gives you different elements. I haven’t made up my mind [on who will start between Gavi and Olmo].”
Flick said on the goalkeeping situation, “I never talk about the starting eleven for tomorrow. He [Szczesny] played a good game and Inaki had a great first half of the season. That’s how it is. In Spain maybe there is a different mentality, but this I have to explain. The noise outside is very loud. They are professionals. They have to be on time. It’s the third time it’s happened and I had no choice. You can arrive earlier, it’s not a problem.”
Wojciech Szczesny will retain his spot between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Real Madrid on Sunday. The backline should see no surprises, with Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde retaining their spots.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Marc Casado and Pedri in the double pivot. Gavi will retain his spot in the advanced position despite Olmo’s return. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the Blaugrana, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal being the two wide attackers.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
