The Catalan club must secure three points against Young Boys to avoid falling into a difficult situation.
- Barcelona Must Win
This season, with the Champions League’s new format, any mistake could worsen their situation. Coach Hansi Flick and his players understand this well, especially after their surprising defeat to AS Monaco in the first match not long ago.
Among the opponents Barcelona will face, there are formidable names like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Atalanta. Therefore, to avoid a tricky situation, “Los Blaugrana” must minimize dropping crucial points.
The match against Young Boys may not be life-or-death for Barcelona‘s Champions League campaign this season. However, a victory at Montjuic will relieve the pressure on Flick’s team, allowing them to feel more confident in the important matches ahead.
- Barcelona Will Field Their Strongest Squad
The German coach rotated his squad during the recent away match against Osasuna, which inadvertently caused disruption and led to a heavy 2-4 defeat, negatively impacting the players’ morale. Nevertheless, Hansi Flick stated that he does not regret this decision.
With key players having more rest, the match against Young Boys will see “Los Blaugrana” field their strongest lineup, even though the Swiss representatives are not considered a worthy opponent.
Inaki Pena will continue as the starting goalkeeper, while Inigo Martinez and Alejandro Balde are expected to return to the starting lineup alongside Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde in defense. The trio of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski is ready to turn Young Boys’ visit into a nightmare.
- The Return of Frenkie De Jong
Although Hansi Flick has not publicly commented on the injury situation, it is undeniable that Barcelona is facing a injury crisis, with eight players set to miss the match against Young Boys on Wednesday.
One of the players sidelined for the longest time is Frenkie de Jong, who sustained an ankle injury back in April. Since then, his return has been repeatedly delayed. Ahead of the match with Young Boys, reports from Spain indicate that the Dutch international has fully recovered and is ready to play.
This will be a significant addition to Hansi Flick’s plans. While he is unlikely to start, it is entirely possible that the former Ajax Amsterdam player could come off the bench if the situation allows.