Flick will count on Barcelona new signing to hand key defenders a rest vs Albacete | OneFootball

Hansi Flick has ensured not to underestimate any opposition in the early stages of the Copa del Rey and has not overly rotated his squad for either of the two games the team has played so far in the competition.

Given how both games ended up being close and complicated affairs, it is clear that he will maintain the same approach against Albacete midweek.

After all, the hosts on the night may be playing in a lower division, but they knocked out Real Madrid in the previous round of the competition, and quite comfortably so.

An assured rotation

As relayed by SPORT in a recent update, Flick will not overly rotate against Albacete but will make some changes to hand players in need and of a break some time off.

One name who will definitely step in on the night to achieve that objective is Joao Cancelo.

The Portuguese star arrived in the winter window as a versatile defensive signing who can play on both flanks, and Flick will utilise him to give at least one starting full-back a rest.

Cancelo to start against Albacete. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Cancelo may feature in his natural position, right-back, and replace Jules Kounde in the lineup to hand the Frenchman a break. That will be the more likely option given how the former Sevilla man had to be taken off with cramps against Elche.

Playing at right-back, moreover, can help kill two birds with one stone as it will also help Eric Garcia get some much-needed rest and free him from right-back responsibilities.

Concurrently, however, there is also the option of deploying the defender at left-back and handing Alejandro Balde some rest as Flick did against Real Oviedo. After all, the Spaniard has been relatively injury-prone over the years and can do with some rest.

In either case, tomorrow’s game will present the new signing with a massive chance to stamp his authority and get back to speed, and it remains to be seen in what capacity Flick chooses to utilise him.