Flick is making a big change

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make a big change when the Catalans travel to Real Betis for their La Liga game on Saturday.

Flick’s men were done a huge favor by Athletic Club last week after their slip-up against Las Palmas.

Pedri’s boyhood club beat Barca 2-1 in Montjuic a week ago, meaning Madrid could have been two points clear in the title race had they kept winning and also managed to beat Valencia in a game now was postponed to January 2nd.

The Blaugrana got back on track with a 5-1 win over Mallorca in Son Moix on Tuesday, but Madrid then faded in San Mames, losing 2-1 to the Basques 24 hours later.

With Carlo Ancelotti’s side only playing Barca’s Catalan neighbors later on Saturday evening, the lead could be as much as seven points in favor of the leaders if they can beat Real Betis.

At his pre-match press conference on Friday, Flick said he expected Betis to face a “very good team” with “very experienced players”.

“We know Isco is back, he is a very good player. They are able to always press high. That’s the style they want to play. We have to concentrate on our game, they know how to play,” Flick added.

For the important clash at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, Flick will bring Robert Lewandowski into play and maintain Mallorca’s 4-2-3-1, so famous from his time at Bayern Munich.

This includes wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal – who Flick admitted he “needs” – to the left and right of Dani Olmo, who plays in front of a stronger duo of Pedri and Marc Casado.

The defensive line also remains untouched, with Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Jules Kounde helping to protect Inaki Pena’s goal from left to right.

On the other side of the ball, of course, is Vitor Roque, who according to Flick was “unhappy” at Barca before being loaned out to Betis, with the Brazilian now saying he wanted to score at his parent club’s expense.

FC Barcelona vs. Real Betis Starting XI: Pena; Balde, Cubarsi, Inigo, Kounde; Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Olmo, Lamine; Lewandowski