Changes in Barça's lineup against Real Sociedad: Which players will rotate?

Hansi Flick will make changes to the starting eleven against Real Sociedad with the upcoming Champions League round of 16 match against Benfica in mind. The blaugrana team will face a demanding schedule in March, with 5 matches in 15 days. Given such a scenario, the German coach will need to manage efforts and rest some starters.

Barça and Real Sociedad will face each other this Sunday (4:15 PM) in Montjuïc, and Flick may rotate some of the players with the most minutes from last Tuesday's match against Atlético. Real, for its part, arrives in Barcelona at a low point after losing Kubo, Aguerd, and Sherabido Becker and with the obligation to avoid excessive fatigue a week before facing Manchester United.

The Barcelona team arrives at the match with one more day of rest than the donostiarras and with all players available, except for the injured, but especially warned by a Benfica that will not play this weekend.

📊 THE THREE KEYS TO THE MATCH

1. Rest - Benfica's league match has been postponed, allowing them to rest all weekend.
2. Squad - Flick has enough alternatives to make changes and manage the team.
3. Injuries - Real Sociedad arrives in Montjuïc with three significant absences: Kubo, Aguerd, and Becker.

The load of matches and Benfica's rest encourages avoiding unnecessary fatigue ahead of next Wednesday, especially considering that the culé team has a 'deep bench' of guarantees. Flick could introduce changes in all three lines, starting with the defense where Pau Cubarsí could rotate and allow Eric García or Ronald Araujo to play.

In midfield, Marc Casadó would return to the starting eleven in place of Frenkie de Jong, while Gavi would take Dani Olmo's spot. Finally, in attack, Raphinha could rest, allowing Fermín López or Ferran Torres to come in. The only player who seems certain in attack is Robert Lewandowski, who already rested against Atlético.

Thus, Hansi Flick could field a lineup with three changes from the one that faced Atlético de Madrid last Tuesday.

The XI of Barça against Atlético

• Starting XI: Szczesny (G); Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Balde; Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres.

The possible XI of Barça against Real Sociedad

• Starting XI: Szczesny (G); Koundé, Araujo, Íñigo Martínez, Balde; Casadó, Pedri, Gavi; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López or Ferran Torres, Lewandowski.