Ronald Araujo ready to return
Barcelona host Leganes on Sunday and could be set to welcome back Ronald Araujo after a long spell out with injury.
Araujo hasn’t played for Barca this season, after undergoing surgery in the summer, but was passed fit ahead of the Dortmund game and travelled to Germany.
The defender did not feature but Flick had already hinted that Barca had planned for Araujo to return against Leganes and you can just bet he’s desperate to play on Sunday.
His return is well-timed as Barca’s backline has started to leak goals recently as opponents get used to Flick’s high defensive line and with the team having been guilty of some individual mistakes.
Araujo’s return should bring extra experience, leadership and some real steel at a crucial time. The only question seems to be whether he will be back in from the start or be a substitute at Montjuic.
Leganes can’t win away
Girona FC v CD Leganes - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Barcelona take on Leganes on a tricky run of form in La Liga. The Catalans have won just one in five in the Spanish top flight but did enjoy a great win over Dortmund in midweek in the Champions League.
Yet that’s nothing compared to Leganes’ away form. Sunday’s visitors have failed to win any of their last eight La Liga way games. Indeed you have to go all the way back to July 2020 to find their last victory on the road in the top flight.
So Barca really should have no excuses when it comes to seeing off Leganes. The Catalans have won seven of eight of their matches against Leganes in La Liga, and their only defeat came away in September 2018.
Barcelona may have had to cope with a midweek fixture in Europe, but the simple fact is that if they want to finish on top of the pile at the end of the season they simply can’t afford to drop points on Sunday.
Hansi Flick in the stands
Real Betis Sevilla v FC Barcelona - LaLiga EA Sports Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images
Flick will pick the team on Sunday but he’ll be forced to watch the game from the stands after being handed a two-match ban for his red card against Real Betis last time out.
The German’s assistant, Marcus Sorg, will take over on the touchline against Leganes and Atletico Madrid and already has Flick’s blessing.
“Marcus, my assistant, has done a good job. We scored a goal with him,” he said after the draw against Betis last time out.
Sorg is a former player who worked with Flick at the German national team and is known for his calmness, discipline and for being a methodical man who tends to stay out of the limelight.
The spotlight will fall on him a little on Sunday as he mans the touchline in Flick’s absence. Barcelona will hope that Flick’s red card does not affect the players as they go in search of three points.
More goals for Ferran?
Borussia Dortmund v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 Photo by Sebastian Widmann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Ferran Torres has gone from zero to hero in recent weeks after returning from injury. The Spain star has four goals in his last three games for Barcelona and could well be pushing for a start.
Flick may be tempted to rotate his attack, after a midweek trip to Germany and with Atletico up next, which could allow Ferran to start. Yet he’s been such a good impact sub there’s an argument he may be better used off the bench.
“Hansi Flick gives me confidence and freedom,” he said after the win over Dormtund. “I try to take advantage of the minutes I get.
“I’m coming off an injury and enjoying my minutes as a substitute, but I have to try to earn my place and make things difficult for the coach.”
Torres will have to wait and see if he’s done enough in the last few games to force his way into the starting XI against Leganes.