Barcelona weighing critical squad choices ahead of Atletico and Benfica battles | OneFootball

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is facing a tough challenge as he prepares his squad for the upcoming Copa del Rey semifinal against Atletico Madrid, reports AS.

With less than 72 hours before the crucial first-leg clash, the German coach must carefully assess his options, especially with another vital fixture on the horizon—the Champions League Round of 16 first-leg against Benfica next week.

Defensive and midfield setup

One of the biggest decisions Flick must make concerns the defensive setup. Inigo Martinez is set to return to the starting XI after being rested against Las Palmas.

However, there is uncertainty over who will partner him at the heart of the defence. Pau Cubarsi has featured in every match, and with Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia also available, Flick will have to make a difficult call.

The midfield selection is another area of concern. The outlet mentions that Frenkie de Jong and Gavi appear to be the preferred choices, edging out Marc Casado and Dani Olmo.

The midfield is the biggest area of concern for Flick. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The Dutchman has become a first-choice option under Flick, while Gavi remains an integral part of the team. His performance in the previous encounter against Atletico was highly encouraging.

However, Olmo’s impressive display against Las Palmas and his sharp physical condition could push him into contention.

What about attack?

In attack, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal seem certain to start, but the key decision revolves around whether to deploy Ferran Torres or Robert Lewandowski as the central striker.

The Polish forward struggled in the last match, and given the physical demands of facing Atletico, Flick may opt for Ferran, who has shown great work ethic.

While Lewandowski’s finishing ability remains unquestioned, Ferran’s movement and pressing could be more suited for this particular encounter.

In the next hours, Flick and his coaching staff will closely monitor the players’ fitness. Balancing the squad across multiple competitions will be a difficult task, but Barcelona must get it right if they want to maintain their fight on all fronts.