Hansi Flick has one major selection dilemma for Barcelona ahead of the Rayo Vallecano game – Report | OneFootball

It is that stage of the season when every team selection feels like an ordeal for Hansi Flick. The FC Barcelona manager needs to get his selection right in terms of putting his strongest XI on the pitch while also managing the minutes in players’ legs.

According to AS, Barcelona’s biggest pre-Rayo question does not seem to be in midfield or attack. It is on the right side of defence, where Hansi Flick appears to have one genuine decision to make now that he has confirmed Eric Garcia will not be available.

That is what creates the real dilemma. If Eric does not start, Barcelona are left choosing between two very different solutions at right-back: Ronald Araujo or Xavi Espart. Araujo is the more defensive option and could offer some solidity.

He has already been used on the right in demanding matches, and against a Rayo side that attack vertically through the flanks, especially with Alvaro Garcia, his physical power and one-on-one defending would provide security.

Espart, though, gives Barca something different. The 18-year-old is the more natural fit for the position and, after his debut at Newcastle and his start against Sevilla, it is obvious that he offers cleaner build-up and more attacking depth from the back.

That is where the choice becomes interesting from a Barcelona perspective. Rayo press high and defend aggressively, so a calmer, more progressive profile like Espart could help Barca play through that pressure.

However, he might not be able to defend one-on-one situations as well as Araujo can. Rayo can make matches messy and physical, and Araujo’s presence would make Barca harder to attack directly down that side. Flick’s dilemma, then, is simple.

Does he take the attacking trade-off or the defensive one? There is a good chance he sides with Espart, but we will have to wait and see how things unfold.