Hansi Flick, Barcelona manager
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Barcelona’s clash with Chelsea in tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League fixture is shaping up to be one of the most tactically complex matches for Hansi Flick.
While the team enters the match with renewed confidence, a series of returning players has created several selection dilemmas across the pitch, forcing Flick to weigh up form, fitness and balance before naming his starting XI.
One of the few positions without any uncertainty is the goalkeeper slot. Joan García, who featured against Athletic Club, will retain his spot between the posts.
Furthermore, Jules Kounde and Pau Cubarsi are nailed-on starters, but the other two places remain open.
Against Athletic Club, Gerard Martin and Alejandro Balde filled the remaining defensive roles. However, Balde did not finish the match after taking a blow to the head.
Even so, all signs point to the fact that he will be available, while the centre-back partnering Cubarsi will likely be either Ronald Araujo or Eric García.
According to MARCA, both have trained at full intensity, making the decision even more complicated.
Who will partner Frenkie de Jong against Chelsea? (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Midfield is another puzzle entirely. Frenkie de Jong is back and expected to start, but who joins him is still unclear.
Fermin Lopez delivered an excellent performance against Athletic, Eric Garcia continues to impress whenever called upon, and Marc Casado is also an option.
Flick may even shift things around and move Fermin into a more advanced role, allowing Dani Olmo to take a rest. But what Flick will do is a matter of last-minute decision.
On the right flank, however, there is absolutely no room for debate that the position belongs to Lamine Yamal.
The left side presents a different scenario. Raphinha made a strong return over the weekend, but after spending nearly two months injured, Flick is not expected to rush him back into the starting eleven.
Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, has been in excellent form and brings valuable experience against English teams, making him a very likely starter.
Up front, the dilemma is choosing between Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the two forwards who are in red hot form.
Javier Tebas, La Liga president
Javier Tebas, La Liga president