Flick Makes Huge Midfield Call

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make a huge call on Saturday by naming Pedri as a starting player for a La Liga clash against Villarreal at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Pedri had previously been out for around a month after injuring his right hamstring in a Champions League clash against Sparta Prague in late January.

In last Sunday’s 3-0 win over Levante, the number 8 came on for a short cameo towards the end and was given a standing ovation by Culers in attendance ahead of immediately firing off his sensational passes from all angles.

With Frenkie de Jong now hitting the sidelines himself thanks to his own knock, Pedri will be partnered by a Marc Bernal that continues to impress in a double pivot of sorts.

In front of them there’ll be Fermin Lopez, who likes Bernal scored at Levante’s expense as De Jong also got in on the action after linking up nicely with Joao Cancelo.

Despite earning plaudits for his showing in light of below-par displays from Alejandro Balde, it will be the La Masia product that gets the nod over the Portuguese for this one.

Elsewhere on the back line, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde all try to help Joan Garcia keep a second consecutive clean sheet and a third on the trot at home.

Up top, Ferran Torres is the central target man with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal to his left and right.

At some point of the proceedings, though, expect Marcus Rashford to come off the bench and earn some minutes given the Mancunian seems to have gotten rid of pain in his left knee.

What FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said

“Every win means one fewer chance for our rivals to catch us. We have to keep working well and keep winning … We’re concentrating on what we can do better. There’s still room to grow.”

FC Barcelona starting XI Vs. Villarreal: Joan Garcia; Balde, Eric, Cubarsi, Kounde; Pedri, Bernal; Fermin; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine