Hansi Flick’s key selection dilemma ahead of Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano | OneFootball

Eric Garcia has been critical to Barcelona’s plans this season and has become a vital cog under Hansi Flick, so much so that he has accumulated 3230 minutes this season alone.

In recent games, the Spaniard has begun to feel the weight of his importance in terms of physical issues and even asked to be substituted in the 20th minute against Newcastle United.

While subsequent tests ruled out an injury, it is clear that fatigue has caught up with the defender and that he is better rested.

The upcoming international break will help, but Flick has confirmed that the defender will not start against Rayo Vallecano as well.

The replacement dilemma

As relayed by AS, Flick will make the final call on who will start on Sunday with two options in front of him – Ronald Araujo and Xavi Espart. And that remains the one big doubt in the manager’s mind ahead of the game.

Araujo has been used by the coach at right-back in recent games, with the most notable example being after Garcia’s injury against Newcastle in the first leg. 

Eric will not start against Rayo. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The captain provides a defensively solid profile but is limited in terms of his attacking output. Against an opposition like Rayo Vallecano, who have tricky wingers, however, that may be valuable.

On the other side, there is Espart, who is young, dynamic, and promising, but still relatively untested and new to the big stage.

He started for the team against Sevilla and delivered a promising performance, and again came on late in the game against Newcastle United to make a second Champions League appearance as well.

While he is relatively raw, he is a more natural replacement at right-back and has shown good composure, decision-making, and even attacking output in his limited minutes.

Flick’s decision will largely depend on what he sees in training, and both players have their chances to start.

Who the manager picks, needless to say, will have a massive bearing on the team’s attacking dynamics against Rayo Vallecano.