Barcelona Faces Alavés with Key Players Missing
FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick faces a challenging start as he prepares his first line-up against Alavés at Camp Nou on Saturday. Several key players are sidelined due to illness and injury, forcing Flick to make significant changes.
Ronald Araujo, suffering from a stomach virus, is unavailable for the match. This comes after a difficult week for Araujo, who received a red card in the Champions League defeat against Chelsea. His absence means Eric García will step in to fill the central defensive role alongside Pau Cubarsi.
Adding to Flick's woes, Fermín López is also out of contention due to an injury that will keep him sidelined for fifteen days. This further complicates Flick's midfield options.
Midfield Adjustments
With Pedri not fully fit and Fermín López unavailable, Flick has had to shuffle his midfield. Frenkie de Jong is expected to play as the holding midfielder, with Dani Olmo and Marc Casado positioned ahead of him. This new arrangement aims to provide both defensive stability and attacking impetus.
The Attacking Trio
Despite the changes in defence and midfield, the attacking trident of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Lamine Yamal remains intact. This formidable trio, which showed promise earlier, will have another opportunity to showcase their talent and create scoring opportunities.
Flick's Expectations
Flick has expressed his confidence in Raphinha, highlighting his focus and positive impact on the team's playing style. He wants Raphinha to demonstrate his abilities on the field. Regarding Lamine Yamal, Flick confirmed that he is fit and ready to contribute.
- Araujo out with stomach virus
- Fermín López injured
- Eric García to replace Araujo in defence
- De Jong to play as holding midfielder
- Attacking trio of Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Yamal remains unchanged
The match against Alavés will be a crucial test for Flick as he navigates these early challenges and aims to secure a positive result for Barcelona.