Flick tests Barcelona’s possible starting XI vs Valencia in training – two key stars to be rested | OneFootball

Ahead of Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final tie against Valencia, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is considering several rotations to manage the minutes of his squad.

The German tactician admitted as much in his pre-match press conference, saying: “It’s normal that we think about rotations. We play at 9.30 pm and we won’t be able to travel back from Valencia, which means we’ll be late.

“Then we have a game in Seville and we have to think about the players. There may be rotations.”

Flick tests possible starting lineup

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Hansi Flick already tested out the possible starting lineup that will take the field against Valencia at Mestalla during today’s training.

Based on the team he tested in Wednesday’s pre-match training session, the German coach could give veteran striker Robert Lewandowski a rest in attack and opt for Ferran Torres instead as the centre-forward.

Torres made a significant contribution during the 7-1 victory over Valencia last month in La Liga, scoring a goal and leading the press from the front. And it appears that he will get the nod tomorrow on his return to Mestalla alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.

Rest for Araujo, Lewandowski. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Flick is set to opt for the centre-back pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia – who started in that game against Valencia, meaning Ronald Araujo is another big name who will be rested.

Wojciech Szczesny is set to continue in goal ahead of Inaki Pena while Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are also likely to retain their places.

Moving forward, Frenkie de Jong appears set to return to the midfield, where he will be partnered with Pedri, who missed the previous match vs Valencia due to a stomach virus.

In the attacking midfield, Fermin Lopez is in line to start with Gavi ruled out and Dani Olmo just returning from an injury.

Thus, according to the lineup Flick tested in the final training session before facing Valencia, Barcelona would set out as follows:

Szczesny; Kounde, Eric, Cubarsi, Balde; De Jong, Pedri, Fermin; Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Raphinha.