Eric, Rashford start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona can line up against Athletic Club | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will be keen on bouncing back strongly when they take on Athletic Club later tonight in La Liga away at San Mames.

The Blaugrana suffered elimination from the Copa del Rey earlier in the week despite winning 3-0 against Atletico Madrid, due to their 4-0 loss in the first leg last month.

Having put up a strong performance in the previous match, irrespective of the outcome, Barcelona will want to build on that and generate more steam heading into the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Newcastle United next week.

Moreover, with Real Madrid winning against Celta Vigo on Friday, Barcelona’s lead at the top of the La Liga standings has been cut down to one. And Hansi Flick & co. will be eager to re-establish their four-point advantage.

However, Barça will have to do so without the services of Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, both of whom suffered hamstring injuries against Atletico. Meanwhile, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen also remain unavailable.

Barcelona thrashed Athletic Club 4-0 in the reverse fixture back in November and beat them again 5-0 in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final. Flick will be aiming for a similar result tonight and here’s how he could set his team up to achieve that.

Defence

There will be at least one change in the defensive line for Barcelona tonight, with Eric Garcia set to start at centre-back, having served his suspension in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.

The Spaniard will start alongside Pau Cubarsi at the heart of the defence, allowing Joao Cancelo to play on his natural side at right-back in the absence of Jules Kounde.

Back and set to start. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, on the left side of the backline, Gerard Martin is expected to get the nod in Alejandro Balde’s injury-enforced absence. Joan Garcia will continue to man the goal for the visiting team.

Midfield

There are likely to be some alterations in the midfield department as well, with Flick expected to manage the minutes of Pedri, who has only recently come back from an injury.

As such, Marc Casado, who has barely featured of late, could be in for an unlikely starting berth tonight at San Mames.

The La Masia midfielder will line up in the double pivot alongside fellow academy graduate Marc Bernal, who has been in brilliant form of late, but remains one yellow card away from a suspension.

In the No. 10 position, Dani Olmo could get a run-out in place of Fermin Lopez, who has been the preferred choice for a while now.

Attack

Marcus Rashford has done well in his season on loan at Barcelona, so much so that they wish to sign him permanently at the end of the season. The forward could get a starting opportunity tonight, with Raphinha likely to be given a breather.

On the opposite side, Lamine Yamal is expected to retain his spot in the side, although it will not come as a surprise to see him taken off in the second half for Roony Bardghji.

Robert Lewandowski is back in the squad after receiving medical clearance for his eye socket injury. However, it is unlikely that he will feature from the start, with Ferran Torres expected to feature as the centre-forward once again.