Barcelona set to area a brand new centre-back partnership vs Atalanta – report

Barcelona set to area a brand new centre-back partnership vs Atalanta – report

In over a few hours, FC Barcelona will lock horns with Atalanta within the ultimate group stage recreation of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

With Barça already securing a top-eight place, the hope is that they safe a win tonight and Liverpool slip up towards PSV Eindhoven, permitting Hansi Flick’s aspect to complete on the prime of the desk.

Regardless of that, Hansi Flick is anticipated to make some tweaks to the beginning XI and preserve his gamers contemporary forward of some essential matches arising.

New centre-back pairing?

As such, SPORT experiences that Flick is ready to area a brand new centre-back pairing for Barcelona towards Atalanta later tonight.

Eric Garcia will begin as soon as once more, as he did final Sunday towards Valencia. Nevertheless, this time, he can have a unique accomplice in central defence.

Ronald Araujo, who was rested towards Valencia, will return to the beginning lineup, and Pau Cubarsi would be the one to take a seat out.

Set for an additional begin. (Picture by Eric Alonso/Getty Pictures)

Garcia had a powerful efficiency final week towards Benfica, scoring a aim as a part of his sturdy exhibiting after approaching in its place.

Following that, he had a dialog with Flick, the place the German knowledgeable him that he wouldn’t be allowed to go away within the winter switch window. The supervisor additionally assured him that he would proceed to have alternatives till the top of the season.

Flick adopted by means of on his promise as Garcia performed the total 90 minutes towards Valencia and seems all set to begin as soon as once more tonight towards Atalanta.

This shall be his fourth look within the Champions League this season and his second begin within the prestigious competitors.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard shall be paired up with Araujo on the coronary heart of the defence tonight as an alternative of the 18-year-old Cubarsi, who’s in line for a breather after having featured closely.