La Liga giants Barcelona are expected to make a solitary change to the club’s starting line-up for their 2nd fixture of the campaign.
That’s according to Diario Sport, who point towards as much as being set to come in the attacking third.
Barcelona, of course, kicked the club’s season into gear last weekend, by way of a hard-fought 2-1 downing of Valencia.
For the most part, new head coach Hansi Flick’s first competitive XI clocked, with the likes of Pau Cubarsí, Raphinha, Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó having all impressed.
One Blaugrana star, however, did badly struggle.
The player in question? Ferran Torres.
Frontman Ferran was afforded a starting berth on the left of Barca’s frontline at Mestalla, but proved a clear weak link alongside Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.
In turn, it should come as little surprise to hear of the former Manchester City man being in line to drop to the bench.
As per a report from Sport, the most likely plan on the part of Hansi Flick and the Blaugrana coaching staff involves Raphinha replacing Ferran on the left wing, with Pedri stepping into the attacking midfield role which the Brazilian occupied against Valencia.
Barcelona’s XI to face Athletic Club on Saturday evening would therefore line out as follows:
Ter Stegen, Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Balde, Marc Bernal, Casadó, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski
Conor Laird | GSFN
