Hansi Flick should really start €10m-rated Barcelona youngster against Eintracht Frankfurt — Opinion | OneFootball

FC Barcelona do not have much margin for error in the League Phase of the Champions League. They need to be perfect, and then some, to aspire to a top-eight finish, provided other results go their way.

Two losses and a draw in five games so far do not make for the best reading. What Barcelona need is three big wins in the next three matches, starting against Eintracht Frankfurt at the new Spotify Camp Nou.

Much emphasis will be on the team Flick selects on the night. We at Sempre Barça believe the German manager should really start talented, €10 million-rated Swedish attacker Roony Bardghji for his second successive game.

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Roony was an unlikely name in the XI against Real Betis at La Cartuja last weekend, and he impressed, combining well with Lamine Yamal, who lined up as an attacking midfielder. The Swede had a breakout game, and his goal underlined it.

Against Frankfurt tonight, although the temptation might be to return to the familiar set-up of Lamine on the right and Fermín through the middle, good performances should be rewarded with continuity, and that is exactly what Roony earned.

Flick has, on occasion, retained the same XI for successive games when he felt they showed promise. Although Raphinha is expected to come into the line-up, it should be at the expense of Rashford, with Roony keeping his place.

The 20-year-old looked to be slipping down the pecking order after a run without minutes, but his start against Betis put him back in the limelight.

A good showing against Frankfurt tonight would go a long way towards cementing his place in the squad. It remains to be seen whether Flick shows trust by starting him in the big game, and whether Roony can emerge from the test with flying colours.