Champions: What rotations is Flick preparing for the Barça-Inter match? Two surprises in the XI!

FC Barcelona will have little rest to prepare for the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Inter Milan. After a Sunday of celebrations for winning the Copa del Rey, the team returns to work on Monday and Hansi Flick could make at least a couple of changes to the line-up compared to the XI at La Cartuja.

The match against Real Madrid demanded the maximum from Barça, with 120 minutes of high intensity in which most of the starters ended up very exhausted. The main novelties for Wednesday would be Ronald Araujo and Fermín López, both revulsives in the cup final.

Fermín López: Will he start against Inter after his great performance in the Cup?

Fermín and Ferran celebrating a goal against Real Madrid (3-2)

The player from Huelva was the best in extra time for Barça, taking control of the midfield after Pedri's departure. In 55 minutes, Fermín only missed a couple of passes (19 completed), with 4 recoveries and 6 individual duels won.

After a second half of 'merengue' dominance, the 'culés' regained control of the match in extra time, largely thanks to the work done by the '16' and a Gavi who also did an excellent job as an inside/pivot.

Against Inter, it is likely that the Dutchman and the Andalusian will exchange positions again in the second half, as the '21' is finding it difficult to last the 90 minutes. In the case of Olmo, his final was not stellar, but he was able to create two clear chances wasted by Raphinha in the second half.

Even Pedri could also have a rest in the second half against the Italians, if the score allows it, as his effort in the final (he played 98 minutes) was enormous. The Canary Islander came out totally exhausted by Eric García in the first half of extra time.

Ronald Araujo, the other viable alternative

Ronald Araujo in the press conference prior to the match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey

Similarly, it is very likely that Ronald Araujo will return to the line-up in place of Iñigo Martínez or Pau Cubarsí. Considering that the '2' rested against Mallorca (substitute) and Leganés (10'), the most likely thing is that the Basque will have a break in the first semi-final against Inter.

However, the 18-year-old central defender can also stay on the bench on Wednesday, as he did not have a good day alongside Araujo in the visit to Dortmund (3-1), where Iñigo was a substitute.

At La Cartuja, Ronald came on for Gerard Martín in the 85th minute and left very good feelings in extra time, with barely one pass missed out of 12 possible. Martínez, for his part, was the player with the most completed passes (80 out of 89) in the match and continues to be the leader of the 'azulgrana' defence.

And, with Iñigo on the field, Barça has not lost any match this 2025. The '5' has responded as first and second centre-back, giving security to the team in attack and always attentive to generate danger in set-piece actions through aerial play.

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Possible XI of Barça against Inter

Flick could bet on a defence made up of Koundé, Araujo, Iñigo and Gerard Martín, again with Szczesny in goal. De Jong and Pedri would remain in midfield, with Raphinha again as attacking midfielder.

Fermín and Lamine would be the wingers and Ferran the '9'. Balde and Lewandowski, again, will be out due to injury along with Casadó and Bernal.

• Szczesny; Koundé, Araujo, Iñigo, Gerard Martín; De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Fermín López; Ferran Torres.