Barcelona play their final game before the last international break of the season as the Catalans travel to Balaídos for what is always a brutal away match against Celta Vigo in La Liga.
After a very disappointing draw away to Club Brugge in the Champions League, the Blaugrana need a good performance to avoid two weeks of very loud noise if they’re unable to conquer a very well-coached Celta side that always causes Barça all kinds of problems.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle:
Defense
Barça’s defense was an absolute nightmare in Belgium and Hansi Flick has endured a ton of criticism for his defensive tactics, which he has vowed not to change in the foreseeable future.
So it’s up to the players to execute the coach’s instructions better, and Flick will likely be forced into a personnel change at the back with Eric Garcia not expected to start on Sunday due to a broken nose. That would mean a return to the XI for Pau Cubarsí alongside Ronald Araujo, with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde retaining their full-back spots despite not doing much to deserve them lately.
Midfield
Dani Olmo played a half-hour in the second half against Brugge and continues to build up his fitness to return to the lineup after the international break, but we don’t think he’s ready to start just yet which means no changes to the midfield trio of Marc Casadó, Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López for the trip to Vigo.
Attack
Just like Olmo in midfield, Robert Lewandowski is close to returning to the starting lineup but probably better suited to do so after the international break, so the Pole will likely be on the bench for this one and Ferran Torres will lead the line once more, with Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal retaining their spots on the wings.
Possible XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Balde; Casadó, De Jong; Yamal, Fermín, Rashford; Ferran (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Celta? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
