Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has on Friday provided an insight into his personnel plans for the weekend.
Specifically, the German has confirmed that two members of his attacking ranks – in Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski – will be in from the off against Real Betis.
The names of frontman Lewandowski and winger Raphinha have taken their place centre stage in the chatter in Catalunya’s capital over recent days.
This comes after speculation spread that both could be left out of Flick’s XI at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
Lewandowski was left on the bench for the entirety of Barca’s meeting with Mallorca in midweek, with the Blaugrana having not missed a beat en route to a 5-1 triumph.
Raphinha, meanwhile, was tipped for a rest on Saturday, amid the hectic fixture list facing he and his teammates at present.
Speaking in his pre-Betis press conference this afternoon, it therefore came as little surprise when the names of both attackers were swiftly put to Hansi Flick.
And, in his response, Barca’s headmaster shut down the ongoing media speculation, by assuring that:
“We need Raphinha in every game, he’s a key player. If he’s available for 90 minutes, all the better. But he’ll play as much as he can. He’ll start tomorrow and so will Lewandowski.”
Conor Laird – GSFN