FC Barcelona took to the El Sadar pitch with a totally alternative lineup. Only Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Pedri González and Robert Lewandowski were 'saved' from the rotations implemented by Hansi Flick, with the Frenchman and the Pole being the only ones who maintain the 'untouchables' label in 2024/25. Both have been starters in the eight days of LaLiga and the first Champions League match, with the one from Paris playing every possible minute.
'Lewy', for his part, had a rest in the second half of five of the nine games of the season, with substitutions between the 70th and 80th minutes. In Pamplona, the '9' came close to scoring on a couple of opportunities in the second half, both served by Koundé from the side. The '23' stood as a winger after the break, giving greater depth to the Barça team after a first half in which the culés did little to reach the rival area.
For Jules, Barça's demanding schedule gives no respite. Héctor Fort barely played half an hour against Girona and 9 remaining minutes against Villarreal and Getafe, without the Parisian leaving the field. With a short squad plagued by injuries, Hansi Flick gives the Frenchman honors as the leader of a defense that, against Osasuna, had a very difficult time due to several inaccuracies at the start. Sergi Domínguez was the one who suffered the most in the background, with many problems covering the French international's back.
Koundé and Lewandowski could rest on Tuesday in the Champions League
After the rotations against Osasuna, it is likely that Barça will reappear on Tuesday in Montjuïc with a much more recognizable XI against Young Boys. However, that does not mean that the German coach does not make some adjustments to the lineup to give rest to those who have been accumulating the most minutes, such as Koundé and Lewandowski.
The culés have the obligation to add the three points against the weak Swiss team to climb positions in the Champions League, although the visit to Alavés is also pending next Sunday, the last game before the October national team break. Both the Frenchman and the Pole will have to travel again with their national teams to play another double matchday of the UEFA Nations League. Hence, beyond their status as 'untouchables', both the defender and the forward must enter Flick's rotations sooner or later.