Barcelona’s strong position in the Champions League could allow Hansi Flick to tinker with his team in Lisbon on Tuesday night.
Barca have won five straight in the league and are only behind Liverpool in the 32-team table. AND 3-2 win against Borussia Dortmund last month they almost secured their place in the top eight and last 16.
Flick would be delighted to have in his calendar for the 2024/2025 season. marked Getafe away, but a 1-1 draw in the capital means that Barca LaLiga title hopes were further damaged.
His team have played on the continental stage this season and this is the team the German manager could select to face Benfica on Tuesday.
GK: Inaki Pena – There was Wojciech Szczesny’s start in the Super Cup semi-final, but Pena has since taken over starting duties in Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s absence.
RB: Jules Kounde – Barca’s full-backs have been flying in recent outings and Kounde found the net again at the weekend.
CB: Ronald Araujo – The captain returned to the herd at the beginning of the new year, and Inigo Martinez was injured outside the machine.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi has played a lot of football and it would be wise of Flick to rest him here. The German can turn to Christensen again after a long presentation.
LB: Alejandro Balde – Balde has enjoyed an upturn in form of late, re-establishing himself as a key figure in this squad after a start-and-stop campaign in 2024/25. left back, who had to overcome racist abuse at Getafe at the weekend, will be tasked with slowing down Kerem Akturkoglu on Tuesday.
CM: Marc Casado – The midfielder rarely retires, so some suspected an injury when Flick took him off the field at the weekend. However, this was not the case and Casado is likely to keep his seat.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – Pedri’s fitness vulnerabilities have been absent this season and there is no need for Flick to run him into the ground with a restart. De Jong is ready to return.
RM: Fermin Lopez – Barca are well stocked in creative positions and Flick must be sensible about his persistent (but understandable) use of Lamina Yamala. With Kounde marauding up top, Fermin could be used with a wide right shot but would have the freedom to operate centrally.
AM: Gavi – Dani Olmo would have returned to the XI had he not picked up a muscle injury at Getafe, allowing Gavi to keep his place in the number ten role.
LM: Ferran Torres – Raphinha has been outstanding this season, but Flick has a useful alternative in Ferran. The versatile forward scored twice off the bench Dortmund set up their 3-2 victory.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – The Poland international doesn’t need another 90 minutes under his belt, but Flick has rarely taken him out of his squad this season. Lewandowski leads Barca’s scoring charts in this competition after scoring seven goals in six games.
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