Dani Olmo will make his first start for Barcelona against Real Valladolid, while Fermin Lopez will replace the injured Marc Bernal on Saturday.
Barcelona will aim to continue the perfect start to the 2024/25 season when they welcome Real Valladolid to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday evening. Hansi Flick has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marc Bernal sustained a long-term knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines for nearly 12 months. So, the young midfielder’s season has prematurely ended as he gets set for a long road to recovery.
Bernal has joined Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ansu Fati on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Flick discussed Bernal’s injury and the impact his absence would have on his squad during his pre-match press conference.
The Barcelona manager said, “Bernal will be sorely missed. It’s amazing how he learned to play in our system. What he has done is unbelievable and now we have to replace him with the team we have.”
“I’ve seen a lot of good things from Marc Bernal, now we have to concentrate on the players who will replace him: Casadó or Eric. We will give them the opportunity to play in this position. I’m confident that they can do it perfectly.”
With Bernal unavailable, Fermin Lopez should get the opportunity to make his mark. Flick also spoke about the Spaniard during his presser. The Barcelona boss said, “It’s true that he hasn’t been a starter, but he has the quality to start in the eleven. I think Fermín is an ‘8’ or a ’10’. He arrived later than the rest of his teammates and that’s why he didn’t start. The season is very long and when he has come on he has shown what he can do.”
Fermin Lopez will replace Marc Bernal in the double pivot in the middle of the park, with Pedri lining up alongside him. Dani Olmo, making his first start for Barcelona, will reprise the no. 10 role, with Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski being automatic picks in the final third.
The backline might see one change, with Alejandro Balde returning to the starting lineup, taking his place in the defensive quartet alongside Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, and Jules Kounde. Finally, there is no looking past Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the sticks.
Predicted Barcelona XI: ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Fermin, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
