Barcelona captain likely to get his first start of the season against Red Star Belgrade | OneFootball

Following a difficult start to the 2024-25 season in which Hansi Flick was unable to count upon some of his most important midfielders, things have improved significantly for FC Barcelona as most of their midfielders have now recovered and are ready for action.

In fact, after facing the problem of not having enough midfielders at his disposal, Flick is now facing the good problem of having a surplus of midfielders, and keeping all of them happy with their minutes will be a challenge for the German coach.

In this situation, Barcelona are expected to have frequent personnel changes in their midfield in the matches to come, and according to SPORT, one such change is expected as soon as tonight as Frenkie de Jong is likely to get his first start of the 2024-25 season against Red Star Belgrade.

The Dutchman has been available to Flick for the last few games, and he has been getting significant minutes on the pitch with every recent game. The last time he started for Barcelona was in El Clasico on April 21, at the end of the last season.

With Frenkie’s deployment, Flick will rest one of Pedri or Casado in this match. Both of these players have been playing excellently this season, but the German coach wants all of his players to be in rhythm, and thus rotations are expected for every position in the upcoming games.

Other than this, there are not too many changes expected in the Barcelona lineup against Red Star Belgrade. Jules Kounde is likely to return to the fold after starting on the bench against Espanyol.

Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Yamal will make the forward line, while Dani Olmo will remain the team’s attacking midfielder. Pena will start between the sticks, while Inigo Martinez, Cubarsi, and Balde will complete the backline.