Barcelona Shake Up Their Lineup Ahead of a High-Pressure Clash With Alavés
So, the stage is set at the newly restored Spotify Camp Nou, and Barcelona are gearing up for a match that suddenly feels a lot bigger than just another league game. After that tough Champions League setback against Chelsea, the team is now shifting all its focus back to La Liga, where every point matters in the race for the top. Barça sit just one point behind Real Madrid, and hosting Alavés this weekend gives them a real chance to keep the pressure on.
What makes this match even more interesting is the surprising twist in Barcelona’s expected lineup. Hansi Flick looks ready to shake things up, and his decisions are already the talk of the fanbase. For starters, Raphinha is finally back in the starting XI after more than two months out. His return adds a much-needed spark on the wing, and he’ll be joining Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in what many consider Barça’s most dangerous attacking trident. It’s the first time in a while that all three start together, so naturally, expectations are high.
Another big headline is Marc Bernal. He’s being trusted from the start, something that hasn’t happened in over 15 months since his serious knee injury. Flick clearly sees something in him, and pairing him with Marc Casadó in midfield gives Barcelona a double pivot capable of pressing, recovering, and keeping possession with confidence. Dani Olmo will operate just ahead of them, offering creativity between the lines.
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However, not all news is positive. Frenkie de Jong has been ruled out for family reasons, a late development that forces Flick to rethink his central structure. Pedri, although medically cleared, will begin on the bench as he eases back from injury. And surprisingly, Jules Koundé also starts on the bench. Instead, Eric García slides over to right-back, with Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín forming the center-back duo, while Alejandro Balde holds down the left side.
Joan García will stand in goal once again, continuing his run as the current first-choice keeper while Marc ter Stegen remains unavailable. The bench is deep, too—Rashford, Ferran Torres, Christensen, Szczesny, Bardghji—giving Flick plenty of options depending on how the match unfolds.
As for Alavés, they arrive with a clear plan: stay compact, close down the spaces, and hit on the counter with speed. Their 4-4-2 setup, led by Lucas Boyé and Kike García up top, is built to frustrate and exploit any defensive gaps.
Barcelona are the favorites—no doubt about it—but Alavés have earned a reputation for making life difficult for bigger teams. With the club also celebrating its 126th anniversary today, Barça will be eager not only to win, but to do it convincingly, proving that the setback in Europe hasn’t shaken them.
All eyes are on how this new-look lineup performs. For Flick, tonight is about response, renewal, and keeping the title dream firmly alive.
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