Hansi Flick has made four changes to Barcelona's starting lineup for the La Liga match against Racing. The most surprising move is the rest given to centre-back Pau Cubarsí, with Andreas Christensen taking his place. The German coach has also brought in Joao Cancelo, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi, while Xavi Espart, Fermín López and Anthony Gordon drop to the bench.
Barcelona has announced the lineup Hansi Flick will present against Racing from 21:30 at the Spotify Camp Nou. With the team top of La Liga with 15 points from a possible 15, Flick is aiming for a sixth consecutive win to maintain a perfect league start. The Blaugrana arrive after a 2-4 away win at Levante last Friday, a match in which Lamine Yamal scored twice. The team has scored 15 goals in its first five matches, an average of 3 per game, and is looking to extend its winning streak at home, where it has won its last four official matches.
Absences and rotations
Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji remain out of the squad through injury, while Brian Fariña is the tactical omission. In goal, Joan García retains his starting spot. The defence is reshuffled with Eric García and Gerard Martín partnering Christensen, with Cancelo on the right flank. In midfield, Pedri and Olmo join Gavi, who starts. The attack is formed by Raphinha, the team's top scorer this season with six goals, Yamal and Adeyemi.
The decision to rest Cubarsí aims to manage workload in a busy schedule. The next fixture is a tough trip to sixth-placed Sevilla this Saturday.
On the bench, Wojciech Szczesny and Dominik Livakovic are the goalkeeping options. Jules Koundé, Cubarsí, Espart and Alejandro Balde provide defensive cover. Pablo Páez 'Gavi', Marc Bernal and Fermín López are the midfield alternatives, while Gordon, Gabriel Jesus and Hamza Abdelkarim await their chance up front.
First reported at Mundo Deportivo
