Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Hansi Flick faces four key selection dilemmas | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are set to take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. Hansi Flick’s men will be keen to get the ball rolling and look to take a first-leg lead with them before their trip to the Metropolitano.

The Catalan club is in a good moment since the beginning of 2025. Barcelona is one of the most in-form teams in Europe and hasn’t lost a single game across competitions. However, starting from the Atletico Madrid game, they have a very crucial period coming up.

In the last few weeks, Hansi Flick has looked to make an effort to use the entirety of the squad at his disposal to keep everyone fit and fresh. He has been boosted by the return of many injured players and currently has decisions to make.

For the Atletico Madrid game, there are a number of players who pick themselves in the starting XI. However, we think Hansi Flick has four major selection dilemmas ahead of the game and let’s take a look at them.

Iñigo Martínez was given complete rest for the game against Las Palmas last weekend in La Liga and is almost nailed on to start against Atlético Madrid as one of the center-backs. This leaves Hansi Flick with a decision to make on who should partner him.

Common sense would tell you that the answer should be Pau Cubarsí. The 18-year-old has been Barcelona’s leader in the backline and has established himself as one of the best ball-playing center-backs in the world. However, he started last weekend against Las Palmas and has played almost every game this season.

Thus, this brings the spotlight on Ronald Araujo. It has been three games since the Uruguayan got a start for Barcelona and it is in these kinds of big games that the South American usually thrives. Thus, it makes a lot of sense for Hansi Flick to hand the player a start.

With Iñigo Martínez alongside him, Araujo would not be expected to help with ball progression. The Spanish veteran is an expert at marshaling the backline and thus, this might be the route Hansi Flick chooses – to partner Iñigo with the Uruguayan.

The second question that Hansi Flick has to answer is to decide who to go with as the defensive midfielder on the night. The obvious two candidates include Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casado and both players have made a case to start against Atletico.

During the weekend, against Las Palmas, Flick started Casado and the ex-Barca Atletic captain had an incredible game. However, prior to that, Frenkie de Jong got an extended run in the team and the Dutchman has hardly put a foot wrong in the opportunities that he has received.

Considering the nature of the game that Barcelona will be playing, having the defensive solidity of Casado might be important for Hansi Flick. Thus, it might make a lot of sense if the German coach decides to go with the Spaniard.

However, with Frenkie being rested in the weekend and Casado playing that one, everything points to Hansi Flick planning to start the Dutchman as the number 6 on the night, and let’s wait and see how exactly the coin falls on this particular dilemma.

No, we did not forget Fermin Lopez. The talented La Masia graduate played against Las Palmas but was hooked at half-time and it is highly unlikely that Hansi Flick decides to start him again against Atletico Madrid. Thus, we are keeping him out of contention.

That leaves the German coach with two options for the attacking midfield role – Dani Olmo and Pablo Gavi. The latter has played a lot in recent weeks as a starter but his performances have been a mixed bag at best.

However, Olmo has hardly featured as a starter due to physical issues but has had an immense impact off the bench whenever Flick gives him the opportunity. He is a magician whenever he plays and the ex-RB Leipzig man might be ready for a start.

Against Atletico Madrid, Olmo’s immense ability to thrive in close spaces could prove to be game-changing. Thus, we think Hansi Flick should side with the 26-year-old against Diego Simeone’s side, and let’s wait and see how he goes about it.

We are taking this dilemma into consideration with the assumption that Lamine Yamal will be fit and ready to start. If that is the case, Hansi Flick will have to decide who starts as the number nine on the night – Robert Lewandowski or Ferran Torres.

The Polish veteran has started a lot of games recently and has played decently well. His hold-up play is very important to Barcelona and he has the ability to be important against Atletico Madrid.

However, Ferran Torres has performed exceedingly well whenever given a chance off the bench. The last time he started a game for Barcelona, he scored a brilliant hat trick against Valencia and he has the ability to play very well against a side like Atletico Madrid.

Although Hansi Flick might choose to go with Robert Lewandowski for the big game, it would make much more sense to start Ferran Torres, and let’s wait and see how the German coach goes about making this decision.