Pedri and Robert Lewandowski will return to the Barcelona starting lineup in the UEFA Champions League tie with Atalanta at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Wednesday.
Barcelona will aim to continue the recent winning run when they welcome Atalanta to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for a UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday night. And Hansi Flick has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (knee), Inigo Martinez (hamstring), and Marc Bernal (knee) remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Dani Olmo is closing in on returning from his recent calf injury, although Wednesday’s game will have come too soon for him.
However, Pedri should return after missing the game against Valencia this past weekend due to illness. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick addressed questions about his squad’s goalkeepers, as he does in every presser.
The Barcelona manager said, “I know that when I say something good about Szczesny it seems like I’m saying that Inaki is weaker, but I don’t like that because my job is to make a decision. They are both very good goalkeepers, so I decided with my staff to go for Szczesny.”
“They are both very good, Inaki did a great job in the past as well, but I decided that way. It’s always a difficult decision. The goalkeeper position is very special. It’s one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. Obviously we have talked about it but it would not be good to say it because it is a secret.”
Wojciech Szczesny should continue between the sticks despite his recent howlers, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Atalanta on Wednesday. The backline should remain unchanged, with Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Alejandro Balde retaining their spots in the defensive quartet.
As for the midfield unit, Pedri should replace Frenkie de Jong and return to the double pivot as Marc Casado’s central midfield partner. Gavi will reprise the no. 10 role, with Fermin Lopez dropping to the bench. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the home side against Atalanta, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal starting as the two wide attackers.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Garcia, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
