Araujo, Fermin start in a 4-3-3 – How Barcelona can line up against Olympiacos | OneFootball

FC Barcelona will be gunning to bounce back to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League when they host Olympiacos later tonight at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Having succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to PSG in their previous outing in the competition, Barça are aware they need to avoid any more slip-ups in order to ensure a top-eight finish in the league standings and secure a direct qualification to the knockouts.

Injuries, though, pose a concern for Barcelona as Hansi Flick will be without several key players. After all, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Joan Garcia, Gavi, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all unavailable. Ferran Torres, however, is back.

At the same time, the Barça head coach will also have an eye on the all-important El Clasico coming up at the weekend, with the top spot in La Liga on the line.

Despite that, it is likely that Flick goes in with his best possible XI tonight against Olympiacos, hoping to seal the result as early as possible and give his key players a breather in the second half.

With that in mind, here’s how Barcelona could line up against Jose Luis Mendilibar’s team at Montjuic tonight.

Defence

With no Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny continues to be the automatic pick between the sticks as far as Barcelona are concerned.

There will likely be a change in the defensive line, though, with Ronald Araujo getting a look-in after his heroics against Girona over the weekend. The Uruguayan should partner Pau Cubarsi at the heart of the defence.

Meanwhile, Eric Garcia, who has been one of Barça’s most consistent performers this season, should move to the right-back position. It would mean a rest for Jules Kounde, who has not been at his best so far this term. Alejandro Balde will man the left-back position.

Midfield

No rest for the weary. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong could use a rest, especially with the Clasico on the horizon. But it is unlikely that Flick will bench either, considering that Barcelona are already missing several important players.

As such, we could see Pedri and De Jong operate in slightly advanced positions in the centre of the park, while Marc Casado lines up as the solitary pivot.

There may be minutes for Marc Bernal off the bench as Flick continues to be cautious with the teenage wonderkid’s reintegration post ACL injury.

Attack

The attacking unit has been hit hard by injuries, leaving Flick with very little to work with. However, there will likely be one notable change in the frontline that featured against Girona over the weekend.

Marcus Rashford is expected to slot in as the centre-forward for Barcelona tonight, in the absence of Ferran and Lewandowski. Toni Fernandez, who started as a false-nine at the weekend, will drop to the bench.

Meanwhile, Fermin Lopez ought to start on the left flank, marking his first start after returning from an injury this past weekend. Roony Bardghji is an option, but is likely to be used off the bench again.

Lamine Yamal, without a doubt, will be the final part of Barcelona’s attacking trident, hoping to tear apart the Olympiacos defence from the right flank.