FC Barcelona have an important match scheduled for tonight as they face AS Monaco in their opening fixture of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League. Hansi Flick will be unable to field his strongest starting eleven for this match because of the several players who are unavailable to play this match because of injuries.
As Mundo Deportivo has noted, the hamstring injury suffered by Dani Olmo in the match against Girona will prevent Flick from fielding the same starting lineup that he has done for the last two games against Real Valladolid and Girona.
The German tactician will be particularly thin on options in the midfield, as Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez, and Dani Olmo are all out with injuries.
Thus, one of the forwards, Raphinha, is the player most likely to play in Olmo’s stead as an attacking midfielder. Casado and Pedri will be the other two midfielders playing deeper in the center of the pitch.
Raphinha’s place on the wings is expected to be taken by Ferran Torres, who is going to miss the next La Liga match because of the red card he got against Girona.
There are two other options available to Flick for the game against Monaco. One of these is to play Eric Garcia in the midfield, and station Pedri higher up in an attacking midfielder role. In such a situation, Raphinha would not have to leave his preferred position on the wing.
Another option would be to play Pablo Torre as the team’s attacking midfielder. The youngster will replace Dani Olmo, while the rest of the team will be the same as the one fielded against Girona. Ansu can be another option to replace Olmo, but the chances of him starting this game are quite remote.
With any of these alternatives, Yamal will retain his position on the right, while Lewandowski will continue to lead the team’s attack. Ter Stegen will take his position between the sticks, while the Barcelona backline will be formed of Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, and Balde.
