Hansi Flick forced to leave out one Barcelona first-team player against Valencia | OneFootball

Hansi Flick faces his first genuine squad-selection dilemma of the season ahead of Barcelona’s trip to Valencia, with the German coach having 24 players available for a match in which only 23 can be registered.

According to SPORT, the return of Gavi and Gabriel Jesus has created an unusual situation for Flick. 

Both players have now returned to full group training and are considered fit enough to be involved, leaving the Barcelona manager with one difficult decision to make before submitting his squad.

The positive injury news has therefore brought an unexpected headache. Barcelona finally have greater depth, but La Liga regulations mean one player must miss out.

Balde and Farinas among the players at risk

Balde could be sacrificed for the Valencia clash. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)

The gradual recovery of players has allowed the level of demand in the daily training of the squad to be raised, offering the coaching staff a wide range of resources to plan the matches.

As a result, Flick faces a first ‘problem’ in making the squad for this clash against Valencia: he has 24 players available and can only register 23 in the official list, which is the maximum limit allowed by La Liga regulations.

As per the outlet, Alejandro Balde and Brian Farinas are among the players who could miss out as Barcelona prepare for another important La Liga fixture. 

Balde’s situation is different this time

It is worth remembering that on the first matchday against Elche, Balde was already left out, but on that occasion it was due to a purely technical decision. 

Or it could be Brian Farinas. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

The coach considered that the full-back was not focused enough, as he explained transparently in a press conference.  This time, though, the circumstances are entirely different.

Balde has subsequently been included in the next two matchday squads, although he has not played any minutes in La Liga.

At the same time, Brian Farinas is also in the equation, meaning Flick must weigh his options across the squad before deciding who stays behind.