Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona visits the Estadio Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo this Thursday for the first time since the 2000/01 season and will do so with five confirmed casualties due to injury. In addition to the absences of Marc-André ter Stegen, Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Lamine Yamal, there is Fermín López, as a result of a muscular injury in the left iliac psoas suffered against Getafe.
The player from Huelva will be out for three weeks, so he will play again with Barça after the October break. The same will happen with Gavi, who finally underwent arthroscopy on his right knee that will keep him away from the pitch for at least another month.
In that sense, Flick will have to use the bench again to tweak his line-up. Barça plays against Oviedo on Thursday at 21:30 and on Sunday they will receive Real Sociedad at 18:30, that is, they will have less than 72 hours of recovery between both matches.
Dani Olmo and Raphinha, alternatives to Fermín against Oviedo
In addition, the Catalans host Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, October 1, which will be 3 matches in 6 days for the Azulgrana team. Without Fermín or Gavi available, Dani Olmo could repeat as a midfielder and, perhaps, rest on Sunday against Real Sociedad. Raphinha occupied this position against Levante, but without Lamine available he has settled as a right winger.
Roony Bardghji, starter against Valencia, could have a new great opportunity at the Carlos Tartiere, while Marcus Rashford, substitute as 'punishment' against Getafe, must return to the XI as a left winger. Ferran Torres did very well on the flank on Sunday and it is very likely that he will remain in the line-up for the third consecutive match.
However, the 'Shark' can also be the team's '9' again instead of a Robert Lewandowski with a weak performance against Newcastle and Getafe. In any case, Flick will try to distribute minutes equally in all the matches to come.
The midfield will also suffer changes on matchday 6 of LaLiga
Others who could start on the bench against Oviedo are Frenkie de Jong and Pedri González. Both are at a spectacular level, but the Dutchman is coming off a minor muscle injury and the player from the Canary Islands already leads the Azulgrana squad in minutes played (517).
Marc Casadó would be Frenkie's replacement, but Pedri, for now, does not have a natural replacement. Gavi could take his place, although the Andalusian displays a more physical game and without as much influence in the transfer as the '8'.
In defense, Eric García could return to the right side if Flick considers that Jules Koundé needs rest. The '24' can also lend a hand as a pivot and for Casadó to occupy Pedri's place, without forgetting the presence of Marc Bernal. The '22' already played a few minutes against Valencia.
On the left, without Balde available, Gerard Martín must continue to occupy the left lane, while Jofre Torrents awaits his first minutes of the season. If Eric moves to the side, Ronald Araujo would return to the XI as a companion to Andreas Christensen or Pau Cubarsí. The '5' rested against Getafe after finishing 'touched' the match against Newcastle.
In this way, Barça's possible line-up against Oviedo would have, at least, three changes compared to the match of matchday 6 against Getafe. Due to the calendar, the rotations will continue against Real Sociedad, with the aim of keeping the entire squad physically fit and avoiding new injuries.
The possible line-up of Barcelona against Real Oviedo
Initial XI:
- (#13, P) Joan García
- (#24) Eric García
- (#04) Ronald Araujo
- (#15) Andreas Christensen
- (#18) Gerard Martín
- (#17) Marc Casadó
- (#08) Pedri
- (#20) Dani Olmo
- (#11) Raphinha
- (#14) Marcus Rashford
- (#07) Ferran Torres
Injured players of Barça
- (#01) Marc-André ter Stegen
- (#03) Alejandro Balde
- (#06) Gavi
- (#10) Lamine Yamal
- (#16) Fermín López