Official: Barcelona starting XI against Athletic Club | La Liga

With close to just an hour left to the clash between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club, tensions and pressure remains high. Even ahead of the game, it was undeniable that both coaches will look to field their strongest elevens. For Barcelona, Hansi Flick had to make sure he got the most out of his available players.

Making just one major change to the starting lineup, the new Barcelona coach has decided upon his starting lineup for his first official game in charge of the club in front of the home fans at the Montjuic Stadium. Here is the starting eleven for FC Barcelona against Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club.

In goal, rather unsurprisingly, will be German goalkeeper and Barcelona first captain Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. The shot-stopper was unable to keep a clean sheet last time out against Valencia but he will aim to ensure that he has a better shot at doing so against this Athletic Club side, irrespective of how formidable they are.

Ahead of the German goalkeeper, the two central defenders will be Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez. The Spanish duo will hope to keep all of their opponents at bay and ensure that their chances at the Barcelona goal are kept to a minimum so that the forwards can make sure to capitalize.

On either flank of the two central defenders, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde have been deployed. Despite the minor injury scare last time out, it seems that the Spanish fullback is up for the task on the left flank and Kounde remains as reliable as ever to be Barça’s right-back for this game.

In the heart of the midfield, the two defensive midfielders will be Pedri and Marc Bernal. The two youngsters will need to put in a great shift and their combined talents will be needed once more against Athletic Club to help Barcelona get their desired results.

The three-man attacking lineup behind the striker will be comprised of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres for this game. They will look to create danger both through their individual creativity but also through directly threatening the Athletic Club goal.

Finally, the lone centre-forward will be Polish ace Robert Lewandowski. With the veteran striker having once unlocked his best version under Hansi Flick, this season is his opportunity to rekindle that version of himself after a flying start to the campaign with two goals against Valencia.