Wojciech Szczesny has to wait for his Barcelona debut as the league leaders get set to welcome Sevilla to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday.
Barcelona will aim to open up a three-point gap over Real Madrid when they host Sevilla at 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.
Lamine Yamal will likely start against Sevilla despite picking up a knock during the international break. In addition, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, and Ansu Fati are closing in on returning and will likely be on the bench this weekend.
However, Marc Bernal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen remain on the sidelines, with the latter two done for the season. Meanwhile, Flick spoke about several players during his pre-match press conference, including Yamal, Olmo, Fermin, Gavi, and Fati.
The Barcelona manager said on Yamal, “Step by step. Tomorrow we have Sevilla. It’s an important match and the eleven will be the best to play against Sevilla. He might play, that’s the idea, we’ll see tomorrow. The rest has been very good for him. We want to thank the Spanish national team, they made an appropriate decision that has been very good for us.”
On Gavi, Fermin, and Olmo, he said, “In Gavi’s case, it is a very important step. Everyone is happy to have him back, he may be on the bench. The same goes for Fermin, he is working very well and may play tomorrow. In Olmo’s case, it is still to be decided, he will be on the bench.”
On Fati, the Barcelona boss said, “There is an option for him to play, but the quality of the team is incredible. He plays as the 11th and there is Raphinha, who is also at an incredible level.” Flick also discussed the goalkeeping conundrum, saying, “It’s fine for him to say he’s ready, but there’s no reason for Inaki Pena not to play. Pena will play tomorrow and next Wednesday. And I would add that we are happy that Szczesny is ready to play.”
With Flick confirming Pena’s involvement, the Spaniard will take his spot between the sticks, with Wojciech Szczesny waiting for his debut. The backline will feature Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, Inigo Martinez, and Pau Cubarsi.
As for the midfield unit, Eric Garcia should sit at the base, with Pedri and Marc Casado joining him in the middle of the park. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the home side against Sevilla, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha completing the numbers in the attack.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; Casado, Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
