FC Barcelona are set to return to La Liga action this Sunday as they visit the Montilivi for the crunch fixture against Girona. Flick will still be without some of his important players, like Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, and Andreas Christensen, for this game.
Furthermore, the problems for the German tactician will be compounded by the fact that the internationals who had been called up to represent their national teams in the last international break had only three full training sessions ahead of this game. Thus, some of the Barcelona players who remained under Flick’s orders in this break can get a chance to appear against Girona.
Mundo Deportivo has provided an idea of which players Flick can field for this game. Ter Stegen will remain the starting goalkeeper and take his position between the sticks once again. The defensive line is expected to be formed by the quartet of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde.
There are greater doubts about the midfield and the attack. Pedri did not play a lot of minutes in the last international break and thus is expected to remain in the starting lineup for this game. He will be joined in a double-pivot system by either Marc Casado or Eric Garcia. The latter will be particularly motivated for this game after spending the last season on loan at Girona.
Dani Olmo could not play the game between Spain and Switzerland because of a blow to his knee. Thus, he can be rested by Flick to have him in the best shape for the upcoming UCL opener against Monaco. Thus, Ferran Torres can join Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski in the attack.
The return of Ansu Fati from his injury will also give Flick another point to ponder. The Spaniard has recovered well from his injury but has had only one training session up to now, so it is unlikely that he will play against Girona. He might be on the list for the next game against Monaco.
