FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make rotations in midfield and defence when his group hosts crosstown rivals Espanyol in Montjuic for a La Liga conflict on Sunday.

With tragic flooding inflicting greater than 200 deaths within the Valencia area, Flick confirmed a desire in the direction of suspending the fixture in query at his prematch press convention on Saturday afternoon.

“It is not straightforward to decide about what to do. It already occurred three years in the past in Germany. We assist all these affected however it’s a matter of La Liga [to decide],” he mentioned when first broached on the subject.

At one other level of his sitdown earlier than journalists and reporters, nonetheless, Flick was firmer when stating, “If I may make the choice, possibly I might do it as a result of it’s a tragedy for Valencia and for Spain as a complete,” as regards to calling off matches throughout the nation.

As issues stand, although, Barca will certainly take to the sector at 16.15 native time, and Flick insisted he is aware of “what a Barca-Espanyol derby entails”.

“It is going to be a troublesome recreation, for certain. After a unbelievable week, it is necessary to be 100% tomorrow, with depth and most high quality,” the German careworn.

Although he was tight-lipped on rotations, Flick has been anticipated to make them throughout three video games in 12 days earlier than the following worldwide break, and can a minimum of achieve this in midfield.

Which means Dani Olmo begins although neither Pedri nor Marc Casado are rested. Fermin Lopez – contemporary off signing a brand new contract – loses his place.

The remainder of the group nearly seems to be an identical to that which thrashed Bayern Munich and Actual Madrid 4-1 and 0-4 respectively final week.

It finds Inaki Pena within the internet protected by a again line of Alejandro Balde, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi however Jules Kounde is changed by Hector Fort at proper again.

Whereas on the entrance line, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal proceed to kind one in all membership soccer’s deadliest attacking trios.

It is going to be fascinating to see what number of minutes substitute De Jong will get with a powerful 45 on the Bernabeu probably the most he has performed this season.

In some unspecified time in the future, Gavi may also take pleasure in extra time on the pitch after three brief cameos in Barca’s final three outings.

FC Barcelona Vs. Espanyol Beginning XI: Pena; Balde, Inigo, Cubarsi, Fort; Casado, Pedri, Olmo; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Yamal