Hansi Flick will return to the bench of FC Barcelona this Saturday at the Municipal Stadium of Barbastro, for the match corresponding to the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey. In principle, the coaching staff will make significant rotations in the starting XI, although injuries force them to rely on some starters to face a rival that, exactly one year ago, posed a huge challenge to the team then led by Xavi Hernández in the same round.

The Barça will not have Lamine Yamal or Ferran Torres, both injured, for the visit to Huesca, while Héctor Fort's inclusion in the squad is also uncertain, although he participated in Thursday's training at Ciutat Esportiva, just like Lamine. Both are aiming for the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup next Wednesday against Athletic Club in Arabia. The other injured player hoping to recover this month, Andreas Christensen, still has no return date.

Pablo Torre and Ansu Fati, facing their last great opportunity with Barça

In this regard, doubts about Fort's physical condition would force Jules Koundé to play in Barbastro, as Flick is unlikely to risk starting Ronald Araujo. The 'charrúa' should get his first minutes of the season, although it seems likely he will come on in the second half. Eric García should definitely be in the XI, along with Sergi Domínguez and Gerard Martín, two regulars in Flick's rotation plan.

In midfield, it is most likely that the coach will choose Frenkie de Jong as the '5', accompanied by Gavi and Fermín López. The Dutchman has not played any minutes in the last two league matches and needs to gain match fitness to regain competitive rhythm. In attack, without Lamine or Ferran available, the door opens for two of the 'discarded' players expected to feature in the second half of the 2024/25 season: Pablo Torre and Ansu Fati.

Both have played very few minutes so far, and if the registrations of Pau Víctor and Dani Olmo are not resolved in time, they have a good chance of starting in Huesca. Especially the Cantabrian, a player who has several clubs interested in his loan for the winter market. If the licenses for Olmo and Víctor are resolved, the former captain of the reserve team should be the '9' of the team against Barbastro.

  • The possible XI of Barça against Barbastro: Iñaki Peña; Koundé, Eric García, Sergi Domínguez, Gerard Martín; Frenkie de Jong, Fermín, Gavi; Pablo Torre, Raphinha, and Ansu Fati.