Barcelona will be keen to bounce back and narrow the gap to Real Madrid at the top of La Liga when they host Deportivo Alaves at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Sunday afternoon.
Hansi Flick has received encouraging news regarding team updates ahead of this match, according to reports from The Hard Tackle.
Inigo Martinez is nearing a return following his recovery from a hamstring injury, though he may not be ready for a starting spot this weekend.
With Martinez back in the mix, only Marc-André ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, Dani Olmo, and Marc Bernal remain unavailable.
Olmo is the closest to making a comeback, but he still needs more time to regain full fitness. Flick provided updates on both Martinez and Olmo during his pre-match press conference.
The Barcelona manager stated that managing player fitness is challenging given the tight schedule but expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, noting, “Inigo is back, Dani has a little bit left. We are happy with Inigo’s return.”
Flick also addressed the goalkeeping situation, confirming that Wojciech Szczesny will start, while Inaki Pena will sit on the bench.
Barcelona is expected to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation against Deportivo Alaves, featuring a defensive line of Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Balde, with Cubarsi stepping in for Eric Garcia.
In midfield, Marc Casado is anticipated to take Frenkie de Jong’s place alongside Pedri in a double pivot. Gavi will play the no. 10 role, flanked by wide attackers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Robert Lewandowski will lead the attack for the home side, with Ferran Torres available as a substitute.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski.