FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make two changes to his side when it faces Espanyol on Thursday night, as part of a tie which could seal the La Liga title should the Catalans come out on top.
FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make three changes to his side when it faces Espanyol on Thursday night, as part of a tie which could seal the La Liga title should the Catalans come out on top.
Barca opened up a seven-point lead at the summit by beating its other eternal rival Real Madrid 4-3 in El Clasico at the weekend.
Mallorca looked to have done the Blaugrana a huge favour by leading 1-0 in the Bernabeu for a good portion of a Wednesday evening meeting, but second half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jacobo Ramon kept Los Blancos’ slim hopes of retaining their Spanish top flight crown.
For Flick’s men then, the mission remains that same as it was before. Put simply, a win at the RCDE Stadium will confirm a domestic treble in the German’s first season, and a second La Liga triumph in three years.
The manager will opt for the same outfit that ran out against Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinal second leg a week ago, and Madrid on Sunday, save for three major changes.
Wojciech Szczesny starts in goal, but Andreas Christensen comes in for Inigo Martinez to partner Pau Cubarsi in the heart of the back line.
While Jules Kounde is still out meaning Eric Garcia gets the nod, Alejandro Balde is back to starting fitness and can line up at left back.
Pedri acts as a pivot and the most retreated midfielder, with a more attacking pair of Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo in front of him.
Robert Lewandowski is the central number 9 demoting Ferran Torres, and is flanked by Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
What FC Barcelona coach Flick said
“It’s a derby and Espanyol have done a very good job in the second half of the season. They have good, key players and they have improved. They have a style and they know very well how they want to play.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to talk or think about celebrations before the game. We have to focus on the match. I saw what happened two years ago on television. Things are done with respect. We have to fight for the three points and then we will do what is right.”
FC Barcelona Starting XI Vs. Espanyol: Szczesny; Balde, Christensen, Cubarsi, Eric; Pedri, Olmo, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine