- FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is expected to make no more than two changes for a Champions League last 16 second leg tie at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday.
- With the score tied 1-1, both outfits have a chance to advance to the next round.
- Flick’s mission will be to field a side capable of dealing with the Premier League team’s intense press.
According to SPORT, FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is expected to make “no more than two changes” to his side that will be put out to face Newcastle United, in a vital Champions League last 16 second leg tie at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday.
The hosts at St. James’ Park were the better team a week ago, and have every right to feel hard done to by only managing to finish the first instalment of the fixture with a 1-1 draw.
Granted it was a clear penalty when Dani Olmo cut inside the box cleverly, only to be brought down by Malick Thiaw as Lamine Yamal cooly converted from the spot in the 96th minute.
Yet while cheered on by a raucous crowd typical of northeastern England, Eddie Howe’s men had their visitors on the back foot for swathes of the second half and will try to repeat that success in Catalonia in a quest to pull off an historical shock.
With Newcastle beating Chelsea beating 1-0 at the weekend, and Barça thrashing Sevilla 5-2 before an increased capacity of 62,000 boosted by their own roaring Grada d’Animació, both contestants go into this one full of confidence meaning it has the makings of a continental classic.
Who will Flick take out of his FC Barcelona side first?
Though Xavi Espart’s cameo on Tyneside, and starting debut against the Andalusians on Sunday, were both impressive, it is doubtful that Flick will throw him into the lion’s den to begin a task of this magnitude from the offset.
Ronald Araujo isn’t likely to be assigned it either given his poor showing last time out, making Eric Garcia the most likely candidate for the right back spot.
His cool ball carrying skills could be the perfect antidote to Newcastle’s press, and Eric can also drift inside when needed to provide more central, ‘pivot’ cover behind Pedri and Marc Bernal.
Joao Cancelo’s improved form under Flick, which has taken in an MVP award against Levante, then a goal and earned penalty at Sevilla’s expense, puts him in good shape to start at left back.
With that, Gerard Martin should centrally partner Pau Cubarsi, who issued a rallying cry to his teammates, as Araujo hits the bench.
The other change should come in FC Barcelona’s midfield
Despite them – and especially Bernal – seeming exhausted in St. James’ Park, it was surprising that neither Marc Bernal or Pedri were rested against Sevilla.
They will again get the nod from Flick, but the main doubt surrounds who is chosen in the most advanced midfield position between Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo.
Were he already in titular starting fitness conditions after making his emotional comeback, Gavi could also throw his hat in the ring.
Yet while Fermin at one point seemed to be winning a two-horse race as fellow Andalusian Gavi recovered from his latest serious knee knock, Olmo has overtaken him in the past few days.
As mentioned, it was the Terrassa native that provoked Lamine’s equaliser from 12 yards out in the Toon, and he also got on the scoresheet to join Cancelo and hat trick hero Raphinha destroying Sevilla.
With Ferran erratic, a Robert Lewandowski with offers from Turkey is favoured up front and there should be no doubts as to why Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are set to be found to his left and right.
The Grada d’Animacio can be FC Barcelona’s 12th man
Returning for Sevilla, and to an extent Atletico Madrid, the Grada d’Animacio can be Barça’s secret weapon and essentially a 12th man that cheers its team on to victory while creating a pressure cooker atmosphere.
The 800-strong group of flag-waving supporters group members made an instant impact on election day, and had much to do with the Blaugrana leading 3-1 by half time.
After the final whistle, the players went to applaud them behind the net in the Gol Sud. It was a touching show of gratitude, for bringing back an ambience that had been sorely missed since the return to the Spotify Camp Nou and their original ban in Montjuic.
