Flick's two doubts in his lineup for Levante-Barça: Will there be surprises?
Published New:19/08/2025 - 20:52h
Updated New:19/08/2025 - 21:00h
Flick has a difficult decision in Levante: repeat the lineup with which he thrashed Mallorca or make changes for the return of Koundé and Lewandowski to the XI
FC Barcelona started the season on the right foot by thrashing Mallorca and now they will have to face their next match against Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium. Jules Koundé and Robert Lewandowski, two regular starters in Hansi Flick's scheme, were not present for the first match.
However, the Blaugrana club won, thrashed, and pleased, with Ferran Torres starting the season on the right foot and with fine aim, scoring the winning goal, in addition to Eric García, who occupied the right-back position for the second consecutive match, including the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Hansi Flick's great dilemma to win in Valencia
In that sense, the German coach has two major dilemmas on the table for the match against Levante: who will occupy the right-back position and who will be the goalscoring '9' to start the match?
García has been doing a good job since the final stretch of 24/25 occupying the right side, with great offensive and defensive display, which has led the Spaniard to win the position in the starting team for the first match of the current season to the '23' of Barça.
Jules, who was an undisputed starter, managed to score 2 goals and give 3 assists in 32 matches in LaLiga, while in the Champions League, he gave 3 assists in 13 matches. With 4,423 minutes played last season, the Parisian stood out both in his defensive facet and in his ability to project himself down the right wing.
However, Eric has been doing things well and the German coach values the ball output and the tactical adaptation he has had to the game system. The most likely thing is that the Spaniard will be a starter again and the Frenchman will have to fight to earn the position again.
Lewandowski or Ferran? Flick must choose his goalscorer
In attack, the doubt lies in whether 'Lewy' will be 100% for the match from the start, since Ferran was a starter on matchday 1 due to the Pole's physical discomfort. It is well known that for the German strategist, the '9' is an immovable in the attack, with 42 goals scored in 52 matches played last season and his great experience, he has earned the full confidence of the coaching staff.
However, considering that Robert will turn 37 this Thursday, the coaching staff will take maximum care of his physical condition. In principle, the discomfort in his left thigh demanded a recovery of about three weeks.
Although the Warsaw native has recovered sooner, there is no reason to take risks at this point in the calendar. In addition, the 'Shark' has been doing a good job as a center forward, so everything will depend on the pace at which Lewandowski can train during the rest of the week.
What decision will Hansi Flick make against Levante?
Thus, everything points to him keeping Eric García at right-back, at least for the match at the Ciutat de València Stadium, as a sign of confidence after his good performances.
As for the area reference, if Robert is 100% physically fit, he will return to the lineup. In the preseason, 'Lewy' scored a couple of goals and an assist on the Asian tour. Due to his thigh injury, he was not available in the Gamper, while in the last matchday of the 24/25 League he scored a double in Bilbao.
