Barcelona are going all-in for their Champions League semifinal second leg against Inter Milan at San Siro, following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg.
In a bold move, head coach Hansi Flick has named what he believes is his strongest possible starting XI — and it’s raised eyebrows. Youngster Gerard Martin gets the nod at left-back, while center-back Eric Garcia is deployed in an unorthodox right-back role, a decision that signals Flick’s tactical intent to reinforce defensive stability without sacrificing build-up play from the back.
With attacking stars like Lamine Yamal and potentially a fit-again Lewandowski ready to influence the match, all eyes will be on whether this unconventional backline setup can handle Inter’s aggressive frontline — and whether Barça can take control early to secure their spot in the final.
The reaction to Hansi Flick’s starting XI has been intense — and understandably so. With Gerard Martin and Eric Garcia starting as full-backs, and Robert Lewandowski benched, many Barça fans on Reddit are walking a tightrope between trust and concern.
Here’s the pulse of the fanbase:
- Optimism with reservations: Some, like Lawdluffy, are rallying behind Flick’s proven leadership, citing his post-Messi rebuild and trophy success. They see the big picture.
- Tactical skepticism: Others, like Leroythedon and SnooRadishes3872, worry about the lack of aerial presence without Araujo or Christensen — especially against Inter’s set-piece threat. The absence of Lewandowski compounds that anxiety.
- Gerard Martin’s inclusion: The young full-back is a lightning rod for debate. While Evening_public_9617 takes the “in Flick we trust” approach, fans like Duh_47 and Asir100 question his readiness and positional suitability in such a high-stakes match.
And amid the noise, Lamine Yamal keeps his cool — reportedly brushing off boos from the San Siro crowd, showing the kind of mental toughness fans hope the whole XI can channel tonight.
