Flick makes one big change

On By Littum

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make a big change to his defense when the La Liga leaders visit Leganes in Montjuic on Sunday.

The Catalans could have been forgiven for thinking they could go into the clash a point behind bitter rivals Real Madrid – blowing an advantage that was once as high as six points – because Carlo Ancelotti’s men would have beaten Rayo Vallecano Saturday.

At one stage he led 2-0 and managed to equalize after Rodrygo scored to make it 3-2, but Rayo did Barca a huge favor by holding the reigning champions to a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Ahead of a huge showdown with Atletico Madrid in six days, Barca can therefore go four points ahead with a win over Leganes.

“Leganes is tomorrow and we are not thinking about Atletico,” Flick saidwhen asked about rotations to rest players for Diego Simeone’s side at a pre-match press conference on Saturday.

“You have to decide with the same team, they have played together the last few games. We have players on the bench of good quality. It is good to make some rotations, but we have not decided yet. There could be (some ), he further teased.

Unable to lead from the dugout due to a two-match ban, Flick said he has told his team “it’s up to us”.

“We have to play one hundred percent concentrated. All the rivals are looking for weaknesses, they will fight for points, but it will depend on us. We will take Legane’s visit with the greatest concentration,” insisted the German.

A big change for Leganes sees Eric Garcia come into the side, replacing Pau Cubarsi.

This means Eric protects Inaki Pena’s goal and partners with Inigo Martinez as they are flanked by Alejandro Balde and Jules Konde on the left and right.

Pedri joins Marc Casado in the more withdrawn midfield positions, allowing Dani Olmo to be advanced and hold the same line as left winger Lamine Yamal and right winger Raphinha.

In Flick’s famous 4-2-3-1 from his Bayern Munich days, Robert Lewandowski – just like back then at Bayern at the turn of the decade – is the lone striker.

FC Barcelona vs Leganes Starting XI: Inaki; Balde, Inigo, Eric, Konde; Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Olmo, Lamine; Lewandowski