Pedri, Bernal start in a 4-2-3-1 – How Barcelona could line up against Athletic Club

Barcelona will be aiming to extend their winning start to the 2024/25 La Liga season when they host Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club later today at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

It will be the first official home match of the Hansi Flick era and the German tactician will be hoping to kick things off with a victory after beating Valencia on the road last week.

Barcelona, though, will have to go into the game without some of their important players as the likes of Ronald Araujo, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong are still out with injuries, along with Ansu Fati.

Moreover, another key player, Andreas Christensen has now joined the infirmary after picking up an injury earlier this week which could leave him sidelined for two months. Meanwhile, Ilkay Gundogan has left the club and Clement Lenglet is on the verge of an exit too.

Less than 12 hours left before the game and there is still no news on the registration of new signing Dani Olmo either and as such, there is a chance that he might again miss out.

Factoring in everything, here is how Flick could set his Barcelona team up tonight to face Valverde’s Athletic in Montjuic.

Starters

Now officially confirmed, first captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen will man the goal for Barcelona as usual and hope to keep the Athletic Club forwards at bay.

The German shot-stopper will rely on the centre-back pairing of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez to provide protection once again with no Araujo and Christensen while Eric Garcia is being linked with an exit.

Hansi Flick confirmed that Jules Kounde will start at right-back tonight against Athletic Club where he will have the unenviable task of keeping the dangerous Nico Williams in check. Alejandro Balde will occupy the left-back position.

Marc Casado and Marc Bernal looked very much at home as the double-pivot in midfield for Barcelona against Valencia. And there is no reason for Flick to break the partnership of the La Masia duo.

The only change in the lineup from the game at Mestalla should see Pedri come into the team after an impressive cameo against Los Che. The Spaniard, appointed the fifth captain for this season, will take up the No. 10 role against Athletic.

It would mean that Raphinha, who has been named the fourth captain, is likely to move out to the left flank. Lamine Yamal is the undisputed starter on the right side of the attack for Barcelona.

It has been an eventful week for Robert Lewandowski as he scored a brace against Valencia in the previous game and then celebrated his 36th birthday. He will be eager to continue his goalscoring start to the season and establish an early lead in the Pichichi Trophy race.

Substitutes

New signing Pau Victor is very much likely to come on at some point in the second half as relief for one of the three forwards. Ferran Torres could also get minutes off the bench in the second period.

Gerard Martin, who made his first-team debut against Valencia, could replace Alejandro Balde as Hansi Flick looks to ease the latter back into action after his lengthy injury layoff and the knock he suffered in the last game.

Eric Garcia might come on as a substitute to relieve one of the two pivots or the centre-backs.