Three pivot choices for Flick to pair with Pedri vs Atletico Madrid amid Barcelona injury woes | OneFootball

After defeating them 1-2 in La Liga on Saturday, FC Barcelona are set to once again face Atletico Madrid, this time in the UEFA Champions League, on Wednesday.

Being the quarter-final tie of the competition, Hansi Flick is expected to put in his strongest lineup for this match. However, one area where he will have to make a decision will be that of the midfield pivot.

Frenkie de Jong, Flick’s first choice in the role, has not recovered in time from his injury and will miss out once again. Meanwhile, who had recently broken into the starting XI with impressive performances, is also unavailable after suffering a sprain in the league clash at the Metropolitano and is expected to be sidelined for around 10 days.

As a result, it remains to be seen who will partner Pedri in the Blaugrana midfield. As Mundo Deportivo has noted, there are three main options for Flick at this position: Eric Garcia, Marc Casado, and Gavi.

The most straightforward option appears to be Eric Garcia. The Spaniard started in midfield against Atletico in the league meeting and has previously been used by Flick in that role thanks to his tactical intelligence and versatility.

With Jules Kounde back available and the pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin offering stability in central defence, Garcia is no longer desperately required at the back and could continue in midfield.

However, his performance in that position on Saturday raised some doubts, as he struggled at times with positioning and tempo against Atletico’s intensity. This could open the door for Marc Casado, a more natural fit for the role, even if he has seen limited minutes this season.

Gavi is another alternative. The midfielder remains one of the coach’s most trusted players due to his energy and aggression, but he is still regaining full match rhythm after his long injury layoff and has yet to start a game since returning.

Beyond the individual profiles, Flick’s final decision could also depend on the tactical approach he wants to take against Atletico. Opting for Garcia would offer more defensive structure, while Casado could bring positional discipline, and Gavi would add intensity and pressing.

For now, the decision remains open, with Flick expected to make a crucial call as Barcelona prepare for one of the most decisive matches of their season.