FC Barcelona have to take on Athletic Club as their next opponent in their official La Liga campaign. After the first victory against Valencia, La Blaugrana now have to face another test with a lot of pressure on them. To ensure that they maintain their perfect record in La Liga, Barcelona are expected to win this game.
However, things are always easier said than done, and it is true that Barcelona did not always get the desired results last season. This time around, however, Hansi Flick will be looking to field a strong eleven to overcome Ernesto Valverde’s team at the Montjuic Stadium.
Here is how FC Barcelona could line up against Athletic Club.
Expected Line-up:
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
While the German goalkeeper did not exactly have his strongest performance against Valencia, he remains Hansi Flick’s trusted guardian to keep the Barcelona goal safe.
Right-back: Jules Kounde
Deploying Jules Kounde as a right-back offers more defensive stability at the expense of less attacking threat, but against a potential threat like Nico Williams, that may be a risk worth taking.
Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi
The young Olympian started his first game this season last time out against Valencia, and he will likely do the same again. With Andreas Christensen out injured, both Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez become the natural choices by default.
Centre-back: Inigo Martinez
Combining experience with quality, Inigo Martinez can offer Barcelona that more aged option back in defense. Moreover, against his former side, the Catalan giants could really use someone who knows the ins and outs of Athletic Club.
Left-back: Alejandro Balde
Beyond just his blazing speed, Alejandro Balde showed some positive creativity in the previous victory. That kind of creativity and explosiveness is something that Hansi Flick will definitely rely on against a side like Athletic Club.
CDM: Marc Casado
Relentless, tenacious, and completely an engine in his own right, Marc Casado offers Barcelona a player who will stop at nothing to cover any hole in the team to the best of his abilities. Covering for his teammates, defending in the box, and attacking the opposition’s goal, there is very little that Marc Casado does not do on a football pitch.
CDM: Marc Bernal
A more composed player than his fellow Marc in midfield, Marc Bernal offers a more subtle tempo controller in the heart of the midfield. His passing, vision, and decision-making are all of a high level already, and it is only further helped by his strong physical attributes.
RAM: Lamine Yamal
The young 17-year-old Euro winner will be tested against Athletic Club, but there is always faith in him to conjure up the unthinkable. Given the many qualities that he possesses, Lamine Yamal can always turn the tide of a game at a moment’s notice.
CAM: Pedri
Following a weak performance from Ferran Torres in his last outing against Valencia, it seems that Pedri may need to step up for this game. However, in case the €80m-rated star is deployed as an attacking midfielder, other players will have to be accommodated on either wing of his.
LAM: Raphinha
The Brazilian winger, deployed last time out in a more central area, will mostly likely be used on the left flank this time. His tenacity and relentlessness could be important as well, given that Athletic Club will likely be willing to put up a fight for every single contested ball.
Centre-forward: Robert Lewandowski
With a brace in his last game, it would be a surprise not to see Robert Lewandowski in the starting lineup against Athletic Club. However, Barcelona will need him to step up again.
