Hans Flick, Barcelona’s coach, made two changes to the squad list to face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, compared to the list that faced the same team in La Liga.
Barcelona go into the match against Atletico at the “Spotify Camp Nou” in high spirits after beating the Madrid side 2–1 at their ground last Saturday in the league.
The squad list saw Diego Kochen included instead of Iñaki Peña as the third-choice goalkeeper, along with the call-up of defender Álvaro Cortés, according to “Mundo Deportivo”.
In contrast, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Bernal, and Christensen will all miss out, absences that were already known in advance.
Despite the absences, Flick has good options, especially after the return of Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde in the last match.
The Frenchman seems to have secured his place on the right, while Cancelo and Balde are competing for the left flank.
The Portuguese comes on the back of an outstanding performance against Atletico in the league, while Balde continues to enjoy the German coach’s trust.
Ronald Araújo has also returned to full fitness. Although he went off in the previous match due to muscle fatigue, his return to the starting line-up appears difficult given Koundé’s readiness and the stability of the centre-back pairing of Cubarsí and Gerard Martín.
In midfield, the fiercest battle is expected, as Flick may rely on Eric García alongside Pedri and Fermín to face Atletico’s powerful double pivot, led by Koke and especially Marcos Llorente, who missed the league match due to suspension.
In attack, Robert Lewandowski is expected to lead the front line on the big nights, supported by Lamine Yamal and Rashford, who filled in for Raphinha at Atletico’s stadium and managed to score a goal.
The Catalan team’s delegation arrived at the “Torre Melina Gran Meliá” hotel shortly after 1 p.m., coming from the training ground, in preparation to face Atletico Madrid.
The team is expected to leave for the “Spotify Camp Nou” about two hours before kick-off this evening.
It is worth noting that Barça will have to face Atletico for a third time this month next Tuesday at the “Metropolitano” in the second leg of the quarter-final of the continental competition.