To challenge Espanyol in the derby, FC Barcelona should field an eleven without any big surprises. Lamine Yamal is announced as the starter but not Pedri nor Dani Olmo.
Hansi Flick will be able to count on the return of two of his injured players to the squad which he will announce today, a few hours before the derby against Espanyol: Pedri and Dani Olmo. The Canarian, absent in the last match of the year against Villarreal due to muscle pain, should be fit to start the match after completing several training sessions. As for Olmo, he gradually returned to the squad this week and increased his workload to the same level as his teammates after his shoulder dislocation suffered against Atlético Madrid on December 2.
Flick tested a starting XI on Friday in training, still without Pedri, Olmo or Robert Lewandowski. In view of the composition observed during the previous session, FC Barcelona should line up the following eleven against Espanyol, according to Sports World. Joan Garcia, facing his former club for the first time, would keep his place in goal. The defense would be made up of Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin and Alex Balde.
In the middle, Flick would keep Eric Garcia as sentry after the excellent performances of the professional central defender in this position, alongside Frenkie de Jong. Raphinha would play in attacking midfield, while in attack, Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford would occupy the wings, with Ferran Torres up front. It would in fact be the same starting lineup as in the last match of the year, with the only change being the benching of Fermin Lopez.
Starting XI: Garcia – Yamal, Towers, Rashford
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