Flick tests Barcelona stars in makeshift positions in training ahead of Gamper Trophy match | OneFootball

FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has one final test before the start of their La Liga season.

The list of academy players involved has gradually been reduced, while the internationals have returned one by one.

Later today, in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Al Ahly, Flick is expected to field a lineup that could be quite similar to the one he uses in the league opener against Elche.

Barcelona had one light training session earlier this morning before the friendly against the Egyptian side, which featured new signing Rodri.

Interestingly, though, Tuesday’s training session shed some light on the selection plan the manager has for the game, as per Mundo Deportivo.

New roles for three players

In Tuesday’s training match, Flick tested three players in positions that are not their usual ones: Jules Kounde, Raphinha and Brian Farinas. They did not play on the same team.

Kounde played at centre-back in training. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

As reported previously, the coaching staff was seriously considering using Kounde as a centre-back, his original position.

That possibility has become even more likely following the departure of Ronald Araujo, while Eric Garcia, after his performances last season, remains Flick’s first choice at right-back.

As such, Kounde was tested at centre-back during yesterday’s training session.

Xavi Espart, meanwhile, played in midfield during the session, just as he did in the friendly against FC Basel.

Interestingly, Flick also used Farinas as a full-back, on the right side of Kounde. Although the academy player never played on the wing during his time with Barça Atletic, the manager wanted to see him in that position.

The coach had previously suggested that he viewed Tommy Marques as a potential right-back. Farinas has now taken his place in the squad.

Raphinha as a No. 9 again

Raphinha trained in a central role again. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Finally, another notable decision was to once again use Raphinha as a centre-forward.

As in the Basel friendly, Flick deployed the Brazilian as a No. 9. On that occasion, he played alongside Anthony Gordon, another player Hansi has mentioned as an option up front.

On the opposing team was Hamza Abdelkarim, who will be facing his boyhood club, and will likely contest with Raphinha for the starting spot tonight.

So, it will certainly be interesting to see how the team takes the field today, especially considering that there is a strong possibility that it will be the same lineup that starts in the La Liga opener against Elche.