Frenkie de Jong will return to the Barcelona starting lineup in the UEFA Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Barcelona will aim to continue the recent winning run when they welcome Bayern Munich to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for a UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday night. And Hansi Flick has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The good news is the return of Frenkie de Jong, with the Dutch midfielder finally ready to take the field for the Blaugrana. In addition, Flick will be delighted by the availability of Gavi, Fermin, Lopez, and Dani Olmo after the trio’s injury horrors.
However, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Ferran Torres remain on the sidelines. In addition, Flick ruled Eric Garcia out of the UEFA Champions League game against Bayern Munich while speaking in his pre-match press conference.
The Barcelona manager also appeared delighted at having Frenkie de Jong at his disposal this week. He said, “Our plan was for Frenkie to play against Sevilla, but he didn’t end up feeling well and we decided not to play him. Except for Eric, everyone is available. I’m delighted.”
Flick might reinstate Frenkie de Jong into the starting lineup straight away, with the Dutch midfielder joining Pedri in the double pivot in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, Dani Olmo will reprise the no. 10 role for the home side. So, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and Marc Casado will be among the backup options on the bench.
The offensive trifecta picks itself, with Robert Lewandowski leading the line for Barcelona against Bayern Munich. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are automatic picks on the flanks, with Pablo Torre a backup option on the bench. The backline should not see any changes, with Jules Kounde, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Balde forming the quartet. Finally, Inaki Pena will retain his spot between the sticks, with Wojciech Szczesny waiting for his debut for a bit longer.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Balde; de Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski