Official: Barcelona name starting XI for Atletico Madrid clash | Copa del Rey | OneFootball

The Copa del Rey clash between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will be kicking off shortly. Taking place at the latter’s home ground, this first leg promises a lot of action and it will look to set the stage for the upcoming second leg at the Spotify Camp Nou as well.

For now, however, Hansi Flick has had to deal with some key injuries. Fortunately for the German coach, his squad still has a lot of quality and that has enabled him to deploy a strong starting eleven for this cup clash.

Here is the official starting eleven picked by Flick for this game.

In goal, Joan Garcia remains the starting goalkeeper for Barcelona heading into this game as well. The Spaniard will likely be called into action a lot, but he will need to be alert and vigilant at all times.

On the flanks, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde start as the two full-backs for Barça. Both players will have a big role to play in this fixture, and their quality will be tested to the limit as well.

Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images

As for the centre-backs, Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia start together in the heart of the defense. They will need to ensure that the team’s defensive structure remains intact at all times, and that could be something that proves to be crucial for this game.

In the midfield, Frenkie de Jong starts alongside Marc Casado in the double pivot. A combination of energy with technical ability, both of these players will have their own unique roles to play but they will be essential if the team wants to win.

Ahead of them, Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez occupy the two wide offensive positions, while Dani Olmo starts in between them as the central attacking midfielder. All three players will have to generate chances while also being active goal threats themselves.

Lastly, up top, Ferran Torres has been chosen by Hansi Flick to start this game as the team’s striker. He will get his chances to decide this game, but he will need to ensure that his finishing is consistent today.