German coach Hansi Flick has finalized his lineup for Barcelona’s match against Real Madrid this evening in the Spanish League Championship. Barcelona leads the standings with 27 points from 10 matches, while Real Madrid follows in second with 24 points.
According to the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional,” Flick has opted to surprise Madrid by starting Spanish star Dani Olmo. Olmo’s impressive performance in the last training session led Flick to include him, aiming to catch Real Madrid off guard. His versatility, allowing him to play in various midfield and attacking roles, gives Flick confidence in his ability to make a significant impact in this pivotal match for the La Liga title race.
The newspaper reported that Hansi Flick has confidence in this season’s standout player, Brazilian Raphinha, viewing him as a crucial element for this Clásico. Raphinha’s impressive performance against Bayern Munich, where he scored a hat-trick, has heightened expectations.
After the final training session, Flick discussed with Raphinha his belief in the player’s potential to lead Barcelona to victory at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has noted concerns about the Brazilian winger, who is in top form this season, urging his players to remain vigilant against Raphinha’s movements.
Flick’s lineup reflects a strategy that emphasizes youth and energy, featuring Casado alongside talents like Pedri and Olmo, while De Jong will begin the match on the bench. The anticipated starting lineup for Barcelona is as follows:
– Goalkeeper: Iñaki Peña
– Defense: Jules Koundé, Coparsi, Iñigo Martínez, Balde
– Midfield: Casado, Dani Olmo, Pedri
– Attack: Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal