Ronald Araujo will replace Inigo Martinez in the Barcelona starting lineup against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday.
Barcelona will aim to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals when they welcome Real Betis to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Wednesday evening. And Hansi Flick has new roster issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Wojciech Szczesny will serve a suspension after seeing red in the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid this past weekend. In addition, Inigo Martinez is unavailable for the foreseeable future after picking up a hamstring injury in the same game.
The veteran Spanish defender has joined Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal on the sidelines, with the duo recovering from long-term knee injuries. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick provided a fitness update on the injured players. He also discussed the goalkeeping situation.
The Barcelona manager said, “I’m really happy with all the players in the team. It’s football. Inigo, Bernal and Ter Stegen are injured. Christensen will be back on Saturday. That’s for me the important thing. We saw Szczesny with a great performance, it’s good to see him after his retirement.”
“He is giving everything. He has an incredible mentality. He helps all the staff a lot, even the other goalkeepers. It’s good to see that he can play at this level. I’m very happy. Inaki, being under pressure, and seeing him this strong gives us confidence. He’s been improving his performances with every game.”
Szczesny’s absence means Inaki Pena is the automatic pick between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Real Betis on Wednesday. The backline should feature Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, and Ronald Araujo, with the latter starting despite his uncertain future.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Marc Casado and Pedri in the double pivot. Dani Olmo will reprise the no. 10 role, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha continuing on the flanks. Finally, there is no looking past Robert Lewandowski as the central striker for the home side against Real Betis.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Ronald Araujo will replace Inigo Martinez in the Barcelona starting lineup against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday.
Barcelona will aim to reach the Copa del Rey quarter-finals when they welcome Real Betis to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Wednesday evening. And Hansi Flick has new roster issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Wojciech Szczesny will serve a suspension after seeing red in the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid this past weekend. In addition, Inigo Martinez is unavailable for the foreseeable future after picking up a hamstring injury in the same game.
The veteran Spanish defender has joined Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal on the sidelines, with the duo recovering from long-term knee injuries. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick provided a fitness update on the injured players. He also discussed the goalkeeping situation.
The Barcelona manager said, “I’m really happy with all the players in the team. It’s football. Inigo, Bernal and Ter Stegen are injured. Christensen will be back on Saturday. That’s for me the important thing. We saw Szczesny with a great performance, it’s good to see him after his retirement.”
“He is giving everything. He has an incredible mentality. He helps all the staff a lot, even the other goalkeepers. It’s good to see that he can play at this level. I’m very happy. Inaki, being under pressure, and seeing him this strong gives us confidence. He’s been improving his performances with every game.”
Szczesny’s absence means Inaki Pena is the automatic pick between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Real Betis on Wednesday. The backline should feature Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, and Ronald Araujo, with the latter starting despite his uncertain future.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Marc Casado and Pedri in the double pivot. Dani Olmo will reprise the no. 10 role, with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha continuing on the flanks. Finally, there is no looking past Robert Lewandowski as the central striker for the home side against Real Betis.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski