Hansi Flick to make several changes, Ansu Fati to start… Barcelona predicted line-up vs UD Barbastro | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are set to start off the new year with a Copa del Rey clash against UD Barbastro. A familiar opponent for the Catalan giants, but an entirely new challenge for German coach Hansi Flick. Either way, the Barcelona coach will be looking to guide his team back to winning ways.

After a rather disastrous end to 2024, the team will be looking to find new success in 2025 and that will have to kick off with the Copa del Rey. Unfortunately for Hansi Flick, however, he will have to select his line-up for this game without some of his most important players.

Here is how Barcelona could line up for this Copa del Rey clash.

Expected Line-up:

Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny

The Polish goalkeeper has been patiently waiting for his chance to show his own quality for the team and this is as good a chance as any for Hansi Flick to give him that opportunity. However, the Pole will need to put up a strong performance if he does indeed start.

Right-back: Jules Koundé

With the Frenchman being one of Hansi Flick’s most-used players in the first half of the season, there is no reason why that would not continue to be the case moving forward. In this game against Barbastro, Jules Koundé could end up starting once again.

Centre-back: Ronald Araújo

The Uruguayan defender could finally return to action this season and make his first appearance under Hansi Flick if the German coach decides to start him. Having never played under him before, this could be a chance for Araújo to cement his place as a regular starter again.

Centre-back: Pau Cubarsí

Alongside any defender, Pau Cubarsí almost always manages to stand shoulder to shoulder. Despite his age, the youngster is the embodiment of a player who is mature beyond his years. His ball-playing, technical quality, and reading of the game are all great benefits that he provides to this Barcelona team.

Left-back: Alejandro Balde

The Spanish left-back seems like a guaranteed starter for this game and it seems like his ability to use his pace out wide could be useful for Barcelona if the opposition prefers to be compact in the middle.

CDM: Marc Casadó

Tenacious and aggressive in everything he does, Marc Casadó could be just the kind of help that Hansi Flick’s team needs in this game. Moreover, alongside Pedri, the Spaniard has formed a formidable partnership that could be the key to opening up Barbastro in this game.

CDM: Pedri

The young Spaniard has shown time and time again that he has the quality to control games and turn the tides in favor of Barcelona. This time, if he ends up starting, he would need to create similar magic for his teammates.

RAM: Fermín López

With Raphinha excluded from the squad list for this game as Hansi Flick reportedly wants to give him extra rest, it could pave the way for another promising young midfielder who would love to have more minutes.

In comes Fermín López, one of the more dynamic options that Hansi Flick has in his team in terms of midfielders. While his efficiency has lacked at times this season, there is no doubt in his ability to be a good addition to the team.

CAM: Pablo Torre

Considering that Dani Olmo was unable to travel for this game due to his ongoing registration issue, Pablo Torre could be the player who gets a chance to get another start for himself.

Despite a promising few appearances previously, Torre has not had a lot of luck in terms of minutes. Now, however, the Spaniard could find another big chance for himself if Flick decides to start him.

The young Spanish winger continues to struggle for minutes this season but it seems almost inevitable that he could be a starter against UD Barbastro. With several forwards either injured or unavailable, it could finally be his moment to showcase his own quality.