Three major changes Hansi Flick is likely to make for Barcelona’s cup tie vs Barbastro

A few months ago, it would have been Hansi Flick’s biggest dream for the team to keep going as they were through 2025, for the team was simply unstoppable.

Now, however, the manager is down to a situation where he must hope the team is anything but the version they have shown in recent months for the Catalans are falling apart.

After the Christmas break, Barcelona return to action later this week in the Copa del Rey where they will take on UD Barbastro in their first game in the event this season.

A plethora of changes are expected given the lower-ranked opposition and one can expect several first-choice players to be rested.

The likes of Pedri, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde who have been relatively overworked will likely be replaced by Fermin Lopez, Frenkie de Jong and Gerard Martin.

However, Barça Universal brings you three massive changes that Flick could pull on the night.

Ronald Araujo for Pau Cubarsi

Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo battled a long way to return from his injury last month, and finally made the squad for the team’s clash against Borussia Dortmund.

The team’s situation on the night and in the games against Leganes and Atletico Madrid, however, gave the manager no room to hand him his debut for the season.

Now facing a relatively easier opposition, Flick may find it the best time to hand the captain his season debut and rest one of his defensive mainstays who have worked relentlessly through the season.

While both Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez have been overworked, the former may merit the break more given his tender age and could thus start on the bench.

Wojciech Szczesny for Inaki Pena

It has been a long wait for Wojciech Szczesny since he signed as a replacement after Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending injury.

Initially tipped to become a default starter, the Polish star was pushed to the bench when the manager opted to trust Inaki Pena over him in goal.

The La Masia graduate did not do too much wrong to warrant him being replaced, and the new signing permanently stayed on the bench.

With the Copa del Rey coming, his debut is just around the corner and it will be interesting to see how he performs.

After all, it is not completely ruled out that he can replace Pena now if he performs to his usual level.

Ansu Fati for Raphinha

The third major change anticipated for Barcelona’s cup clash later this week is for the young Ansu Fati to return to the lineup after recovering from his injury blow.

The youngster has been decent this season and has shown some sporadic flashes of brilliance and the manager could thus utilise the opportunity to give him a start against Barbastro.

He will, in all probability, replace Raphinha who has barely rested this season for the Catalans will require the Brazilian to be fresh for their upcoming Spanish Super Cup campaign.

With the forwards showing clear signs of burnout in recent weeks, Fati can make a case for more regular minutes if he steps up on Saturday night.