Barcelona’s starting lineup against Monaco is expected to look slightly different.
Hansi Flick begins his first Champions League season with the Spanish giants at the Stade Louis II. The coach helped Barcelona to a perfect start in La Liga despite injuries to Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araújo, Ansu Fati and Marc Bernal. The arrival of Dani Olmo helped the Catalans rise to the top of the Spanish league, but the midfielder is the latest Barcelona player to remain on the bench.
Olmo injured his right thigh against Girona at the weekend and will be out for up to six weeks. As Flick prepares for his first European test against unbeaten Monaco, he must decide who will start in place of his blockbuster signing.
This is what Barcelona’s starting eleven could look like in their opening match of the Champions League against Monaco.
TW: Marc-André ter Stegen – The German goalkeeper hopes to keep only his second clean sheet at Barcelona in the 2024-25 season.
RB: Jules Koundé – The Frenchman is the unsung hero of this Barcelona team. From his combination play in attack to his defensive work in his own half, Koundé is one of Flick’s most reliable players.
Centre-back: Pau Cubarsí – The 17-year-old won gold with Spain at the Olympic Games in Paris and is now a central defender under Hansi Flick.
Centre-back: Iñigo Martínez – Martínez brings experience and reliability to a young defense.
LB: Alejandro Balde – The 20-year-old defender will play his 85th international match for Barcelona against Monaco.
DM: Marc Casadó – After Marc Bernal tore his cruciate ligament, Casadó started alongside Pedri. The 21-year-old provided his first assist of the season in Barcelona’s match against Girona.
DM: Pedri – The midfielder is one of Flick’s most consistent players and proved this weekend that he can push forward and score just as well as his defensive duties.
RW: Lamine Jamal – Yamal has just become the youngest player in La Liga history to score a first-half brace and will now continue his quest for his first Champions League goal.
AM: Raphinha – Just two weeks after his first hat-trick, Raphinha will take over Dani Olmo’s role behind Lewandowski. Although the Brazilian prefers to play on the left wing, he has shown in Barcelona’s first three La Liga games that he can also shine as a number 10.
LW: Ferran Torres – Everything points to Torres getting the nod on the left wing, although the Spaniard has not been convincing in recent times. Flick will likely keep Ansu Fati, who has just returned from injury, as a substitute.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – Lewandowski will always be the man at the top for Barcelona. The Polish captain has already scored four goals in five La Liga games and is leading the race for the league’s Golden Shoe.
