FC Barcelona Versus Barbastro Line Up: Flick Makes Numerous Changes

FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick will make several changes to his usual starting line up when the Catalans play their first game of 2025 in the Copa del Rey against Barbastro.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, he will grant season debuts to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and center back stalwart Ronald Araujo.

The cup match will be a welcomed distraction for Barca away from the debacle involving the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.

Flick's only two summer signings were granted temporary licenses to play until December 31, and both a judge and La Liga refused to give them the green light to feature beyond that date meaning they are both unavailable for this tie.

At a prematch press conference on Friday, Flick admitted that he isn't happy with the situation but claimed there is a good vibe across the squad.

"You have been able to see it today, too," he said to journalists, who are commonly allowed to watch at least 15 minutes of the training session that precedes the manager's sitdown with the press.

"They always enjoy themselves and have a good time, they love to compete, there is a very good atmosphere in our team. That's why we love working here," he added.

Though naturally most of the questions that Flick fielded were about Olmo and Pau Victor, the ex-Bayern Munich boss revealed that he watched last year's Copa del Rey tie against Barbastro which Barca squeaked 3-2 on the watch of his predecessor Xavi Hernandez.

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"We have started training, it is the first game, I saw last year's game and it was a tough match. We have to be well focused from the first second and we have to show everything we can do and our game," Flick insisted.

As mentioned, then, Szczesny will get his debut for the team he came out of retirement to join once Marc-Andre Ter Stegen became injured earlier in the season.

Araujo also starts partnered by Eric Garcia at center back, while the usual right back and left backs in Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde get the nod.

Taking the places of Pedri and Marc Casadao, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi come in as double pivots.

In a more advanced three, Ansu Fati and Fermin Lopez stand in for Raphinha and Lamine Yamal on the left and right wing while Pablo Torre is a CAM. As always, Robert Lewandowski is the lone striker.

FC Barcelona Starting XI Vs. Barbastro: Szczesny; Balde, Eric, Araujo, Kounde; De Jong, Gavi; Fermin, Pablo Torre, Ansu Fati; Lewandowski