FC Barcelona versus Getafe Line Up: Three changes from Flick

On By Littum

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make three major changes to his side when they face Getafe away in La Liga on Saturday.

The German imposed several midweek goals as the Catalans followed on from thrashing Real Madrid 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah to score the same number of goals past Real Betis and progress to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

Reminded at his pre-match press conference that putting the ball in the onion bag in El Coliseum is often a difficult task, Flick replied, “What we know from the past is that it is difficult to score there. We have talked about this topic and hopefully our plan will work .”

Barca beat Getafe by a narrow 1-0 margin last time out at Montjuic and Flick revealed that a lack of goals and rhythm against Jose Bordalas’ tough outfit has already been mooted.

“That’s what we said during the team meeting. The important thing is to play the way we want,” stated Flick.

The ex-Bayern boss was tight-lipped on whether there will be rotations, replying: “For us the next game is always the most important. I know there are more games ahead but we always say we focus on the next matches.”

Still, he will certainly make changes with Alejandro Balde initially taking his place back from Gerard Martin at left back.

With Wojciech Szczesny still suspended, Inaki Pena continues in goal after returning to the fold for the aforementioned 5-1 win over Real Betis.

The rest of the defense is also as before, with bracescorer Jules Konde at right-back, while Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi form a central partnership.

In midfield, Marc Casado teams up with Pedri once again in a double pivot, at the expense of Frenkie de Jong – who Flick praised for his display against the Andalusians.

Dani Olmo is not cut though as he is CAM while Gavi hits the bench. To the left and right of Olmo are the wingers Raphinha and a Lamine Yamal, who many call the world’s best, with a rested Robert Lewandowski the central number 9.

FC Barcelona First XI vs. Getafe: Pena; Balde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Konde; Pedri, Casado; Raphinha, Olmo, Lamine; Lewandowski