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Two factors that will dictate Hansi Flick’s selection for Barcelona vs Valencia – report

Barcelona resume their competitive schedule this Sunday following the international break. From this point, the calendar becomes increasingly demanding with the beginning of the UEFA Champions League and the start of two matches per week.

Until now, the Catalans had only been playing one game per week, allowing for greater recovery time, but from this moment, the situation changes radically, and Hansi Flick will need to start rotations with his players.

The German tactician is aware that his players cannot sustain the workload indefinitely, with some are already beginning to experience physical problems.

The first decisions must be taken for the match against Valencia tomorrow at Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Two factors to dictate selection

Now, according to MARCA, Hansi Flick’s team selection for tomorrow’s game against Valencia will be based on two major factors.

Indeed, international duty over the past couple of weeks and the upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture against Newcastle United will condition the Barça team selection for Sunday.

Two factors that will dictate Hansi Flick’s selection for Barcelona vs Valencia – report

Barcelona take on Valencia on Sunday. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Flick must take into consideration how his players have returned from international duty and keep in mind that on Thursday, there will be a very challenging Champions League clash against Newcastle away at St. James’ Park.

Likely changes

The first choices will need to be made in defence. Flick must consider whether to rest Ronald Araujo ahead of the Newcastle match, where the Uruguayan’s physical presence will be more important.

Furthermore, he has just returned from a long trip from Chile, making a rest before the Champions League entirely plausible. In that case, Pau Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, and Eric Garcia are the candidates for the two positions in central defence.

On the left side, Alejandro Balde will be unavailable due to injury, and Gerard Martin will take his place.

In midfield, Gavi is sidelined and Frenkie de Jong returned with physical problems, opening the doors for Marc Casado to start alongside Pedri.

In attack, the main doubt is on the left wing. Raphinha has returned from a long trip after playing a match for Brazil against Bolivia at an altitude of more than 4,000 metres. A rest also seems advisable in his case. His place would be taken by Marcus Rashford.