Barça's options to cover Lamine's absence

FC Barcelona

FLICK'S OPTIONS TO REPLACE FERMÍN

The absence of Lamine Yamal for Celta-Barça, combined with uncertainty about a specific return date due to discomfort that already kept him out of the last league match where the Blaugrana team fell in Anoeta against Real Sociedad, once again forces Hansi Flick, Barcelona's coach, to rethink the options to cover the absences in his offensive line. This Saturday, at Balaídos, the league leader resumes competition after the international break, without Lamine, nor Ansu Fati, injured in the hamstring, nor with Ferran Torres, still not in the squad.

Against Real Sociedad, the chosen one by Flick to replace Lamine Yamal was Fermín López, shifted to a more open role. However, the proposal did not yield the expected results: Barça lost 1-0 and did not record any shots on target.

Raphinha, the new number 10 of the Brazilian national team, returns to the team with renewed confidence and could regain his usual position on the right flank. So far, with Lamine Yamal effectively occupying the left flank this season, Raphinha had adjusted his game.

Another versatile player in the offensive zone is Dani Olmo, who can play both in the trio of attacking midfielders behind the striker, or shifted to the left flank, threatening with diagonal runs towards the center. In the central lane, Pedri can also assume various roles, either as an attacking midfielder or dropping back alongside the usual pivot, Marc Casado. In this latter case, Fermín could once again adapt to any position in the attacking midfield line.

Another option would be to field Pau Víctor on the left wing, although it seems unlikely, given that he has only accumulated 174 minutes across eleven official matches so far.