OFFICIAL: The starting formations of Álvaro Rubio's Valladolid and Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona for the matchday 34 of LaLiga 2024/25 are now confirmed. With the aim of adding three points that allow the 'culés' to be one step away from the LaLiga title.

FC Barcelona's starting lineup against Valladolid

Hansi Flick introduces up to six changes compared to the XI against Mallorca. The most notable, without a doubt, is the rest for Szczesny in place of Ter Stegen, while Héctor Fort comes in for the injured Jules Koundé. Similarly, Andreas Christensen will take Pau Cubarsí's place in the center of the defense.

On the other hand, Gavi and Fermín López return, in addition to Ansu Fati and another great surprise, Pau Víctor completing the attacking trident alongside academy player Dani Rodríguez.

Barça's starting XI (OFFICIAL):

  • Tactical note: Héctor Fort is the right-back. Araujo and Christensen form as center-backs and Gerard Martín is the left-back. Ansu Fati is a left winger and Pau Víctor, center forward. Although many changes are expected in attack.
  1. (#01) Ter Stegen
  2. (#32) Héctor Fort
  3. (#04) Ronald Araujo
  4. (#15) Andreas Christensen
  5. (#35), Gerard Martín
  6. (#06) Gavi
  7. (#08) Pedri
  8. (#16) Fermín López
  9. (#10) Ansu Fati
  10. (#46) Dani Rodríguez
  11. (#18) Pau Víctor

Barça's bench (substitute players):

  1. (#13, P) Iñaki Peña
  2. (#25, P) Szczesny
  3. (#02) Pau Cubarsí
  4. (#05) Iñigo Martínez
  5. (#07) Ferran Torres
  6. (#11) Raphinha
  7. (#19) Lamine Yamal
  8. (#20) Dani Olmo
  9. (#21) Frenkie de Jong
  10. (#24) Eric García
  11. (#34) Noah Darvich
  12. (#44) Landry Cephas

Barça's injured players:

  1. (#03) Alejandro Balde
  2. (#09) Robert Lewandowski
  3. (#14) Pablo Torre
  4. (#17) Marc Casadó
  5. (#23) Jules Koundé
  6. (#28) Marc Bernal

Barça's sanctioned players:

  1. None (no sanctioned players)

How do Hansi Flick's changes affect Barcelona's scheme?

Marc-André ter Stegen, FC Barcelona goalkeeper

Hansi Flick has once again revolutionized the XI in his lineup compared to the last duels. We analyze them:

Massive rotations in Barça's eleven, with an eye on the return of the 'semis' of the Champions League against Inter Milan. The most notable, without a doubt, is the starting position of Ter Stegen in goal and Andreas Christensen in defense. The German had not played since the end of September and the Dane since matchday 1. Also noteworthy is the opportunity for Héctor Fort, Ansu Fati and Pau Víctor. Important pieces like Ronald Araujo and Fermín López return.

Goalkeeper and defense:

  • An unprecedented defense: With Koundé and Balde injured, Héctor Fort and Gerard Martín remain in the XI. Ronald Araujo will accompany Christensen in the center of the defense, giving rest to Pau Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez.

Midfield:

  • Frenkie de Jong rests, with which Gavi regains his place as a starter accompanying Pedri. Flick also returns Fermín López to the attacking midfield. The player from Huelva lost ground in the one-on-one with Dani Olmo in recent weeks, but against Real Madrid in the Copa final he showed that he is at his best to be decisive in attack.

Forward:

  • In the offensive trident, Pau Víctor will be a starter, in place of Lewandowski, along with Ansu Fati and the great surprise, Dani Rodríguez.

  • The '10' remains in the XI after being in the starting lineup against Mallorca and will again be the left winger, accompanying the academy winger and Víctor. It is a decision focused on giving oxygen to the team looking at the return of the Champions League semi-finals against Inter Milan, in addition to giving minutes to two fixed discards.

  • Raphinha, again, will be a substitute along with Lamine Yamal. In principle, Ansu should be the left winger, with Dani on the right and Pau as '9'. In the center of the field, Gavi Eric should occupy the pivot position, with Pedri and Fermín further forward.

Valladolid's starting lineup against FC Barcelona

  • Initial XI: Ferreira; Anuar, Candela, Cömert, Cenk, Aznou; Juric, Iván Sánchez, Amallah, Raúl Moro; Mamadou Sylla.
  • Bench:  Hein (P), Luis Pérez, D. Torres, Nikitscher, Grillitsch, Marcos André, Mario Martín, Latasa, D. Machis, Amath, Chuki, Iago Parente.
  • Injured: Joseph Aidoo and Javi Sánchez.
  • Sanctioned: None.

Valladolid, meanwhile, are already relegated after a regrettable second half of the season. Álvaro Rubio's team has only added 1 draw in their last 14 matches and are coming off a heavy defeat against Betis (5-1). In addition, they will not be able to count on Joseph Aidoo and their captain, Javi Sánchez, due to injury, both out of action after the visit to the Benito Villamarín.

Sensitive Absences: Who are the injured Barça players against Valladolid?

The injuries of Jules Koundé, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre represent a significant challenge for FC Barcelona in this decisive stretch of the season. Below, we detail the individual impact of each absence on Hansi Flick's team.

Jules Koundé (starting right-back)

  • Impact: after playing 86 consecutive matches with the club during the last 12 months, Koundé finally rested on matchday 33 against Mallorca. The Frenchman was the MVP of the Copa final, scoring the winning goal, but was injured in the first half against Inter Milan last Wednesday. The '23' has 4 goals and 8 assists in 53 matches with Flick's team.
  • Consequences: in principle, Barça has not determined the time of absence of Jules, who suffers a distal injury in the biceps femoris of the left thigh. What is certain is that he will miss the rematch against Inter and the Clásico against Madrid in the next LaLiga matchday. Flick only has Héctor Fort as a substitute right-back and, in the Champions League, he opted for Eric García as an emergency solution. Ronald Araujo could also be a 'patch' to deal with his absence.
Jules Koundé and Robert Lewandowski celebrating a goal with Barça

Robert Lewandowski (starting center forward)

The Polish striker, without a doubt, will be the team's most sensitive absence to face Mallorca. Lewandowski was injured in the LaLiga match against Celta on Saturday, April 19.

  • Impact: After scoring 25 goals in the 32 LaLiga matchdays played so far, and although the '9' could not shake the nets against Betis (1-1), Leganés (0-1) and Celta (4-3), his presence in the area is key to freeing up spaces for Lamine and Raphinha, who lose their main reference.
  • Consequences: In principle, 'Lewy' will be out for around two or three weeks, with which his presence in the return 'semis' of the Champions League against Inter Milan is not yet assured. .

Alejandro Balde (starting left-back)

Alejandro Balde in a match against Alavés
  • Impact: Balde provides depth, speed and overflow on the left wing. His absence, although important, has been partially covered by Gerard Martín, who has performed correctly in defense and attack.
  • Consequences: The team loses offensive capacity and surprise on that side, although defensive solidity is maintained. According to recent analysis, Balde's absence is significant but, of the current absences, it is the one that has the least impact thanks to the performance of his replacement.

Pablo Torre (offensive midfielder)

  • Impact: The player from Cantabria was called to be a starter against Valladolid, but suffered some discomfort in his left knee and, finally, fell out of the squad. Pablo would have been the team's attacking midfielder, alternating position with Fermín López to give more depth to the 'azulgrana' attack.
  • Consequences: His absence represents a hard emotional blow for a footballer who barely accumulates 421 minutes of action spread over 14 matches. The '14' has not been a starter in LaLiga since matchday 15 and, in the second half of the season, he only played 45' against Osasuna and 3' against Girona.

Marc Casadó (defensive midfielder)

  • Impact: Casadó, a regular in the midfield rotation, suffered a partial ligament tear and will be out for two months, probably missing the rest of the season.
  • Consequences: His absence reduces refreshment options in the defensive pivot, especially when Flick needs to rotate or close matches. The squad has alternatives, but Casadó's absence limits depth in a key area, especially given the accumulation of minutes and the risk of sanctions or injuries to other midfielders.

Marc Bernal (midfielder, central midfielder)

  • Impact: Bernal, one of the revelations of the academy, suffered a serious knee injury (anterior cruciate ligament tear) and says goodbye to the season.
  • Consequences: His absence deprives the team of a physical and tactical profile that had provided balance and energy in the center of the field. Bernal was a valuable alternative for matches of high physical demand and his absence forces Flick to rely more on experienced players or to advance the progression of other young players.

In summary, the absences of Lewandowski, Koundé, Balde, Torre, Casadó and Bernal force Flick to rethink his strategy for the match against Valladolid. Creativity in midfield and effectiveness in front of goal are affected, but the team trusts in the depth of its squad to overcome this challenge.