This is a big week for FC Barcelona within the context of the season. Games against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid coming back-to-back is not easy to handle but that’s exactly what Hansi Flick & co. are expected to do in the coming days.
Bayern come first in the UEFA Champions League followed by Real Madrid in La Liga later this weekend. More than the result, fans will want Barcelona to give a good account of themselves in both games, which should ideally result in them ending up victorious.
In such situations, any small wins ahead of the game could go a long way in winning the mental battle and Barcelona have been handed one such boost. As per Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo Goes is doubtful for the Clasico after being taken off with a hamstring issue against Borussia Dortmund.
The Brazilian winger is a regular starter for Carlo Ancelotti’s team and in his absence, Los Blancos will have to look at other options. Rodrygo is a constant menace down the right flank with his speed and dribbling and not facing him is one problem less for the Barcelona defense.
In the Brazilian’s absence, what Ancelotti is most likely to do is to line up with just two forwards – Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe and give Jude Bellingham his free, roaming, #10 role like last season. The Englishman has struggled to exert the same kind of influence playing in a deeper role this time around.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, unlike some of the Blaugrana teams in recent times seem keen on retaining their identity irrespective of the opposition. The German is unlikely to back down from his high-line approach at the club.
What this means is that this gives both Mbappe and Vinicius perfect chances to run behind our defense should they time it well. If Rodrygo was playing, he would be yet another threat on the counter but that is something Barcelona might not need to worry about.
It remains to be seen how Hansi Flick sets up his team for both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid games. One can only hope that the team emerges victorious in both games and only time will tell how it pans out.