When the Catalans host Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday, FC Barcelona head coach Hansi … [+] Flick will make three changes compared to the side that smashed Valencia 7-1 in La Liga last weekend.
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When the Catalans host Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday, FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make three changes compared to the side that smashed Valencia 7-1 in La Liga last weekend.
Second on the continent and third domestically after squandering a six point lead in the championship now led by bitter rival Real Madrid, it could be said that Barca is performing better in the UCL where it trails only Liverpool.
At his prematch press conference on Tuesday, however, Flick made it clear that La Liga is the most important competition to him or rather perhaps that which should be prioritized.
“Usually for me La Liga is the most important tournament we can win. At the end of the season we will take stock. There are other competitions, such as the Copa del Rey, the Super Cup and perhaps the Champions League is the most difficult competition to win. It is not easy to achieve it,” Flick explained.
“There are very good teams in the running. It’s important to win to finish in second place because it will be important for the rest of the competition,” he added.
Barca of course has considerable bonus money on the line in its final league phase match, and will have to get by a foe that Flick expects to be complicated in Europa League holders Atalanta.
“It is always difficult to play against an Italian team because they defend very well,” he noted.
“Atalanta also plays very well with one-on-ones all over the pitch. It always puts a lot of pressure on. It makes very quick transitions, it always plays with contact and we have to be ready for this. We have talked in the dressing room about how to play against them and make good decisions.”
In the same sitdown with the press, Flick confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny will be his goalkeeper over Inaki Pena, after also getting the nod against Benfica and Valencia last week.
The back line looks the same, however, with the exception of Pau Cubarsi being taken out in favor of Ronald Araujo.
That means the Uruguayan partners Eric Garcia in the heart of the back line, as they are flanked by left back Alejandro Balde and a Jules Kounde in fine form at right back.
In midfield, Pedri has recovered from the illness that kept him out last time and will team up with Frenkie de Jong in a double pivot at the expense of Marc Casado.
Complimented for his touching gesture towards a teammate on Sunday, Gavi is the CAM with wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal to his left and right respectively.
Up top, the UCL’s top scorer Robert Lewandowski will try to extend his tally.
FC Barcelona Starting XI Vs. Atalanta: Szczesny; Balde, Eric, Araujo, Kounde; Pedri, De Jong; Raphinha, Gavi, Lamine; Lewandowski
