Three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Getafe | La Liga MD5 | OneFootball

Barcelona are forced to play a second straight game at the Estadi Johan Cruyff this season as the delays at Spotify Camp Nou continue, and it will be Getafe who they welcome at the venue later today.

Jose Bordalas’ side have always been a menace to the Catalans, given their style of football and effective neutralisation of Barcelona’s attacking threat. Their record away to the Blaugrana, however, does not suggest the same with conviction.

Barcelona have never dropped points against Getafe at home since 2018, and Hansi Flick’s men will look to keep that record running when they face off tonight.

After all, they have only re-entered their element in recent games and will look to keep the engine running at the same intensity.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Barcelona vs Getafe.

Forced defensive switch

Barcelona’s win over Newcastle left the team with positives all over the park as they announced to the world that they are not only well-oiled but far more mature than they were last season.

One big blow they suffered on the night, however, was the discomfort felt by Pau Cubarsi, which forced him off the field on the night.

The young defender felt minor discomfort in his left knee and did not participate in Saturday’s training session as well. He is, thus, a major doubt for today’s game.

With Cubarsi all but ruled out, Hansi Flick must decide which defensive duo he goes with on the night. After all, he does have several candidates to choose from.

Ronald Araujo dropped a solid performance after starting against Newcastle, but Andreas Christensen also impressed with his distribution and composure after coming on. Eric Garcia, meanwhile, has been a serious option for Flick in the centre-back position too.

Given the nature of the opposition, the coach may well prefer ball-playing profiles at the back to help circulate possession and play the occasional ball over the top, and Christensen and Garcia thus have good chances of starting.

A big decision over the mediapunta

Should Dani Olmo start against Getafe? (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Getafe, over the years, have become synonymous with playing a notoriously low block and suffocating opposition attacks in their own area. The solution, needless to say, lies with Flick’s selection of his attacking midfielder.

The mediapunta, as the position is known in Spanish, will thus be critical in helping Barcelona create openings in the final third against Getafe later today, and the manager must choose from Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo for the same.

The former, who shone against Valencia but struggled against Newcastle, proves a more direct profile who can shoot from distance and generate more consistent threat in the box. His productivity against a low block, however, is more limited.

Olmo, on the other hand, thrives in tight spaces and would be the perfect fit to start if he is in form. The issue, however, is that the player has shown nothing to suggest that he is remotely close to his best this season.

Flick must thus weigh the pros and cons of both players and pick the right fit for the attacking midfield role on the night. A major part of the tactical responsibility, after all, will lie with the mediapunta.

Chances for rotated stars

Flick will look to make rotations. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Having played a gruelling UEFA Champions League clash at one of the world’s most daunting atmospheres only days ago, Barcelona’s schedule has already reached a point where players have no rest.

Following tonight’s game against Getafe, the Catalans face off against Real Oviedo, Real Sociedad, Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla in under two weeks and rotations, thus taking centre-stage.

All signs point to the manager resting Frenkie de Jong, who played a pioneering role at St James Park, and Marc Casado will likely receive a start and a chance to prove his worth tonight.

The youngster impressed on his start against Valencia and will look to continue to prove his worth to Flick with a solid defensive output and productive distribution, something he has excelled at striking the balance between in recent times.

Another young name who could have a run-in on the night is Jofre Torrents, who is yet to see a start this season.

With Gerard Martin having taken back the position as Flick’s preferred backup to Alejandro Balde, Torrents must take his opportunity with both hands if given a start later tonight on the left side of defence.