Two Barcelona players could get their first minutes of the season against UD Barbastro | OneFootball

FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick are gearing up for their first match of 2025, as the Catalan club prepares to face UD Barbastro in the Copa del Rey Round of 32. Barcelona aims to start the new year on a high note with a victory.

Since the competition’s format was revamped to one-legged ties, many teams have begun taking it more seriously. The Catalan giants will be looking to make a strong start in the tournament. However, Hansi Flick is expected to field a rotated XI in the opening rounds of the Copa del Rey, and he has several decisions to make.

Mundo Deportivo has now outlined some of the key team decisions Flick may face for the cup clash. For starters, both Ronald Araújo and Wojciech Szczęsny are expected to make their first appearances of the season.

The former has only recently returned from injury and has been an unused substitute for three consecutive games. This Copa del Rey clash provides Flick with the perfect opportunity to ease him back into action while offering Iñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí some much-needed rest.

Meanwhile, Szczęsny was brought in as an emergency replacement for Marc-André ter Stegen, but the Polish goalkeeper is yet to make his Barcelona debut. That could change tomorrow, with the ex-Juventus star aiming to make an impression.

The report also mentions that the likes of Jules Koundé, Raphinha, and Pedri have featured in all 25 games this season in some capacity and are due for some much-needed rest. It wouldn’t be surprising if Hansi Flick decides to leave these players out of the trip to Barbastro altogether.

Elsewhere, Ansu Fati is expected to get some important minutes in this game as he continues his recovery from injury. The Spanish forward has received the medical all-clear and will be eager to gradually start contributing to the team.

One can only hope that Hansi Flick makes all these rotations, gives a few youngsters a chance, and still leads Barcelona to a victory over their third-division opponents. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out on the night.