SPORT: More than five changes in Flick's starting eleven against Girona

FC Barcelona

Once it was understood that he had to face the Barça-Osasuna match during the hectic restart after the break and with only 64 hours of rest before the Girona game, Flick designed a plan to approach both commitments with the best guarantees, minimizing risks and considering that, a few days later, on April 2nd, a high-level battle awaited at the Metropolitano in the Copa semifinals return leg against Atlético.

The German coach's initial decisions were clear. The two players who had just returned from a transoceanic trip and with barely 48 hours of rest (Raphinha had even less) did not play a single minute against Osasuna. In the case of the Brazilian, he wasn't even called up. Ronald's situation was different since he hadn't played in the Bolivia-Uruguay match.

Another measure was to leave Lewandowski on the bench. The Polish player had not started in his national team's second match against Malta due to some discomfort. Flick preferred not to take any risks and placed Ferran as the '9', a position in which he has been shining this season.

He also decided not to rush Pau Cubarsí back from his ankle injury during the Spanish national team duty, considering his optimal conditions for Sunday's match and, above all, for the crucial encounter on April 2nd in Madrid. The plan is for Lewandowski, Raphinha, Araujo, and Cubarsí to start on Sunday if there are no setbacks. They will arrive rested and will allow Inigo, Eric, and Ferran to get some rest. Who knows, maybe Lamine too.

There will be a mandatory modification due to Olmo's injury. It remains to be seen whether Gavi or Fermín will be chosen for that central midfield position. There is also the possibility of Raphinha replacing Lamine and Fermín or Gavi taking on that left false winger role. Yesterday, Olmo started in that position, freeing up space on the wing for the fantastic state of form of Álex Balde.

Araujo, Cubarsí, Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Fermín are likely to start on Sunday at Montjuïc. Afterwards, there could be some additional rotations. For instance, Héctor Fort instead of Koundé, who has played too many minutes, or Gerard Martín on the other side. It is also not entirely unlikely for a recovered Pablo Torre to be considered, displaying good signs in the second half against Osasuna.