Gavi, Lamine start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona can line up against Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

In under eight hours, FC Barcelona will lock horns with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final clash at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

The Blaugrana have already faced Atletico once this season in La Liga and came away with a defeat despite playing some of their best football. As such, they will be intent on getting a measure of revenge while taking a step towards qualifying for the cup final.

Barcelona are yet to lose a match in 2025. In fact, their last defeat remains the one they suffered at the hands of Diego Simeone’s side in December last year.

The last two games, against Rayo Vallecano and Las Palmas, have not been their best and as such Hansi Flick will be aiming to get his team firing again ahead of the business end of the season.

Barça go into the match without only Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal with injury. Andreas Christensen has been training with the team but with the squad list not announced, it is not known if he will be called up tonight.

There had been doubts about Lamine Yamal after he missed training on Monday but he is expected to be okay and available to play. With that in mind, here’s how Flick will likely set his team up against Atletico tonight at Montjuic.

Defence

Hansi Flick has made it clear that Wojciech Szczesny is the undisputed starter in goal and as such, there will be no rotation despite it being a cup tie, with Inaki Pena being left out on the bench again.

There are unlikely to be any major alterations in the defensive unit with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde set to continue as the two full-backs on the right and left sides respectively.

At the heart of the defence, Pau Cubarsi is expected to start again ahead of Ronald Araujo but he will have a change of partners as Inigo Martinez should return to the lineup at the expense of Eric Garcia for the heavyweight encounter.

Midfield

Gavi and De Jong likely to return to the team. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The midfield department is where things get tricky for Flick as he will have to make some important decisions with regard to his starting personnel.

What is certain is that Pedri, who was brilliant in the league defeat to Atletico, is a guaranteed starter in one of the two midfield pivot positions.

Marc Casado got the nod against Las Palmas alongside the Spaniard, but the Barcelona manager is likely to recall Frenkie de Jong to the starting XI for this blockbuster encounter.

Another dilemma for Flick will be the attacking midfield position where Dani Olmo is pushing for a start after his goalscoring appearance vs Las Palmas while Fermin Lopez is also a contender.

However, it is more likely that Gavi will get the go-ahead tonight as the third midfielder for Barça against the Colchoneros.

Attack

Despite the concerns around his fitness, Lamine Yamal is understood to be ready for tonight’s clash and is expected to feature from the get-go on the right wing for Barcelona.

Robert Lewandowski should retain his place as the centre-forward against Atletico ahead of Ferran Torres, who is making a case for a starting berth after scoring a late goal vs Las Palmas. Raphinha will complete the attacking trident for Barcelona.