Hansi Flick has already decided which Barcelona players will start against Inter Milan – Report | OneFootball

The upcoming encounter against Inter Milan is a massive one for FC Barcelona. Now just one game away from the UEFA Champions League final, it is the one encounter that stands in their way. However, it will also likely be the most difficult game for Barcelona this season.

For starters, Inter Milan will be playing at the San Siro and they show no signs of slowing down in their own pursuit of reaching the Champions League final. Moreover, Barcelona will be dealing with certain key injuries heading into that crucial encounter as well.

Both Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will be unavailable for this fixture, and that means that Hansi Flick’s side will be without their two starting full-backs for this crucial encounter. However, a recent report suggests that the German coach has already decided on what his starting eleven will be for that game.

As highlighted by SPORT, Barcelona will likely be going with a similar starting eleven to the one that played the first leg against Inter Milan. That would then mean that most of the players would be the exact same except for the now-injured Jules Kounde.

Sticking with the Barcelona regulars

Thus, in goal, Wojciech Szczesny would be the player that Hansi Flick would trust for that encounter. As for Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, the German goalkeeper’s involvement beyond the recent game against Real Valladolid will have to wait and be assessed by Hansi Flick.

Inigo Martinez will likely return to the Barcelona starting eleven. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Over in the defense, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez seem guaranteed to start after being rested against Real Valladolid in Barça’s last game. Similarly, Eric Garcia is expected to replace Jules Kounde and Gerard Martin seems likely to reprise his role on the left flank, but the option of Inigo Martinez being used as a left-back is there as well.

In the midfield, both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong will likely play as the two-man double-pivot for Barcelona. They both played only 45 minutes each in the last La Liga game and they are more than likely to start this upcoming game together.

Potential midfield dilemma

Moreover, Dani Olmo is also expected to start this game after having only a brief cameo in the team’s last game. He will need to give a strong performance if he does start, however, as Fermin Lopez’s recent displays make him a good option for Hansi Flick to consider as well.

As for the attack, that almost automatically fields itself. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal will be occupying the wings, and Ferran Torres will be starting as the centre-forward after completely being rested in Barça’s last outing. Moreover, Robert Lewandowski is also expected to be available and could be used in the second half.