To rotate or not to rotate – Flick has a plan in mind for Barcelona’s game vs Villarreal | OneFootball

As Barcelona get set to take on Villarreal on Sunday in La Liga, Mundo Deportivo reports that manager Hansi Flick is contemplating sticking with the same starting eleven that faced AS Monaco.

It would mean that Barça would once again line up with Eric Garcia in a defensive midfield role, despite his early sending-off in midweek, with Pedri positioned as an attacking midfielder.

Decision conditioned by injuries

Due to injuries sidelining up to eight players, Flick has been forced to rely on a stable group of regular starters during the first six matches of the season, making only minimal changes.

The German tactician made a tactical change against Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano, while he had to adjust for injuries during the match against Real Valladolid and once more against Monaco due to the latest injury to Dani Olmo.

Flick has maintained the same defensive lineup in five of the six games. Olmo’s registration meant that Ferran Torres lost his place in the starting eleven after the first two games.

Set for another start. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the injury-enforced absence of Marc Bernal in the double pivot has been addressed by the increased reliance on Marc Casado.

Seven players – Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Jules Kounde, Lamine, Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen – have been constant starters, with four of them (Ter Stegen, Kounde, Martinez, and Raphinha) completing all minutes.

No changes expected

As they prepare to face Villarreal in the sixth round of La Liga tomorrow, Flick is expected to deploy the same lineup as in their European match.

Eric Garcia will start again in the double pivot, allowing Pedri to remain in an advanced role. Ferran Torres will miss out due to suspension, leaving Flick with limited options for surprise changes.

Introducing Pablo Torre or Pau Victor into the team could be an option, but is unlikely against a tricky opponent like Villarreal, especially given how both players have seen very limited playing time.

Flick’s reliance on a consistent lineup reflects both the challenges posed by injuries and the urgency to secure vital points in La Liga.