One place, four faces: Hansi Flick faces toughest call before Bayern Munich bout

After a dominant victory over Sevilla, Barcelona have immediately shifted focus to their crucial Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. 

The match, scheduled at Montjuic, will be vital for Hansi Flick’s team. The pressure is on Barcelona to perform well, as they aim to secure a top-8 spot in their group, which would guarantee direct qualification to the knockout stages.

Looking ahead to this important fixture, Flick has nearly finalised his starting lineup, but one key decision remains unresolved. The question is who will partner Pedri and Marc Casado in midfield? 

One question, plenty of solutions

Dani Olmo is unlikely to start against Bayern Munich. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Two of the most logical options, Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo, would normally be in the mix, but both players are unlikely to start due to injury concerns. 

At present, it is deemed that it would be too risky to start either player against such a formidable opponent after so little time on the pitch.

Therefore, Flick’s choice for the final midfield spot seems to be narrowed down to four potential players: Eric Garcia, Fermin Lopez, Pablo Torre, and Ansu Fati. 

García is considered the frontrunner, especially since his defensive qualities and experience could add balance to the midfield. 

However, he did experience some discomfort during warm-up against Sevilla, which prevented him from even making the bench. If he recovers in time for Wednesday’s match, he will likely be in the starting lineup. 

What about the rest?

If García is not fit to play, the decision becomes trickier. Fermin, Torre, and Ansu are all solid options, each bringing different strengths. 

Eric Garcia or Pablo Torre can feature against Bayern Munich. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Fermin is a strong contender due to his seniority, but his limited game time—only 25 minutes against Sevilla after seven weeks out—may work against him. 

Torre, on the other hand, has been playing consistently over the past month, which could tip the scales in his favour. If Flick decides to start him, he would likely take the number 10 role, while Raphinha would move to the left wing. 

This would also provide flexibility for both Pedri and Raphinha, as they could easily adapt their positions depending on the flow of the game.

Ultimately, Flick’s decision will come down to a combination of fitness, form, and tactical needs. 

Whether García or one of the other midfielders gets the nod, Barcelona will need to bring their best game to the pitch if they hope to get past Bayern Munich and keep their Champions League hopes alive.