FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick had a great last night as they resumed their winning run from before the September international break with a win against last year’s La Liga title challengers, Girona.
Goals from Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Pedri made it a morale-boosting win for the Blaugranes, but there was still one negative outcome for Flick from this match, the injury to Dani Olmo. The Spaniard suffered a Hamstring injury and is set to be sidelined for 4-5 weeks, and thus will definitely miss the upcoming game against Monaco.
Olmo’s absence will be a significant loss for Flick. He already has three goals to his name in three games and is becoming a structural piece of the team. Thus, the German tactician will have to find another formula to replace him in the midfield.
For this purpose, SPORT notes that there are two main options for Hansi Flick, Ferran Torres, and Pablo Torre, to play in the third midfield spot with Pedri and Casado.
Flick has already used Raphinha as an attacking midfielder earlier this season, as he stationed Ferran Torres on the left wing. For the upcoming match, he can use this same formula, or reverse the positions of these two forwards.
On the other hand, Pablo Torre would provide him with more of a midfield profile. The youngster played both games for the Spanish U-21 side in the last international break, but his physicality is not at the level of Raphinha or Torres.
Another way in which the Barcelona head coach can replace Olmo in his team is by playing Eric Garcia along with Marc Casado in a double pivot system, with Pedri playing higher up the pitch as an attacking midfielder.
Ansu Fati is also expected to be back available for the game against Monaco, and thus can be an option to play in up to three positions, left winger, striker, or playmaker, from the bench.
