Barcelona set to field a new centre-back partnership vs Atalanta – report

In over a couple of hours, FC Barcelona will lock horns with Atalanta in the final group stage game of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

With Barça already securing a top-eight place, the hope is that they secure a win tonight and Liverpool slip up against PSV Eindhoven, allowing Hansi Flick’s side to finish at the top of the table.

Despite that, Hansi Flick is expected to make some tweaks to the starting XI and keep his players fresh ahead of some important matches coming up.

New centre-back pairing?

As such, SPORT reports that Flick is set to field a new centre-back pairing for Barcelona against Atalanta later tonight.

Eric Garcia will start once again, as he did last Sunday against Valencia. However, this time, he will have a different partner in central defence.

Ronald Araujo, who was rested against Valencia, will return to the starting lineup, and Pau Cubarsi will be the one to sit out.

Garcia had an impressive performance last week against Benfica, scoring a goal as part of his strong showing after coming on as a substitute.

Following that, he had a conversation with Flick, where the German informed him that he would not be allowed to leave in the winter transfer window. The manager also assured him that he would continue to have opportunities until the end of the season.

Flick followed through on his promise as Garcia played the full 90 minutes against Valencia and appears all set to start once again tonight against Atalanta.

This will be his fourth appearance in the Champions League this season and his second start in the prestigious competition.

However, the Spaniard will be paired up with Araujo at the heart of the defence tonight instead of the 18-year-old Cubarsi, who is in line for a breather after having featured heavily.