FC Barcelona were able to dispel most of the doubts about their form in their last UEFA Champions League encounter against Olympiacos, which ended in a 6-1 win for them, and will be going into the upcoming La Liga clash against Real Madrid with their spirits significantly restored.
Furthermore, Hansi Flick will also have several of his players back available for this game. Ferran Torres already made the squad for the game against Olympiacos, without playing any minutes, while Raphinha has also rejoined the team in training. Similarly, Andreas Christensen will also be available after missing the last game due to illness.
With Christensen’s recovery, Flick will have his entire defensive unit at his disposal for the first time in several weeks. This includes Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Alejandro Balde, and Gerard Martin. Academy defenders such as Jofre and Xavi Espart could also be considered if the German coach wishes to expand his options.
Interestingly, as SPORT has noted, Araujo did not start in the midweek Champions League match, which could indicate that Flick was preserving him for the Clásico.
The €35 million-rated Uruguayan has often been a key figure in this fixture, known for his ability to limit Vinicius Junior’s influence. Under Xavi, Araujo was frequently deployed on the right side of defense to contain the Brazilian forward, and Flick might consider a similar approach, even if he has not yet used the defender in that position this season.
At the same time, Real Madrid’s attacking threat now extends beyond Vinicius. Kylian Mbappe’s devastating runs behind the defense have become a defining feature of Madrid’s play, which makes Araujo’s athleticism even more valuable. His presence could prove crucial in managing those dangerous transitions.
So far this season, Araujo has started six matches for Barcelona and has also made an impact in attack, scoring twice in La Liga, including a dramatic last-minute winner against Girona. However, his distribution from the back remains an area of concern, as opponents who press aggressively can sometimes force him into losing possession in dangerous areas.
That is why Flick’s final call is far from certain. Eric Garcia offers superior ball distribution and a calmer presence when building from the back, which could make him the preferred partner for Cubarsi in a system that wants to play out through the centre.
Jules Kounde also remains a solid option on the right flank thanks to his balance of defensive discipline and ability to step forward.
In short, Flick can choose to revive Xavi’s Anti Vinicius plan and deploy Araujo in a more specific containment role, or he can prioritise ball progression and defensive balance with an Eric Garcia and Cubarsi pairing and Kounde on the right.
With three days of preparation ahead, it remains to be seen which route Flick will take. The choice will tell us whether Barcelona aim to smother Real Madrid’s wide threats with physicality or to match them with composure and control from the back.