"However, with Pedri now once again available, coach Hansi Flick might return to the old combination of him and Garcia, which has worked wonders so far this season. Garcia has appeared quite formidable defensively, allowing additional freedom to someone like Pedri who likes to carry the ball around and offer those passes in between the lines. However, de Jong can hope to retain his place in the starting eleven should Flick feel that the offensive threat posed by Roberto and Kike Garcia warrants Garcia to return to the centre-back position alongside Pau Cubarsi."
"Gerard Martin, who has been operating at centre-back lately, may not be the most physically competent centre-back to take on these two physically strong target men. Therefore, it won't be surprising to see Garcia starting at centre-back either, in which case, de Jong could operate in a familiar double-pivot role alongside Pedri. But if Flick looks to return to the old formula, the Dutchman is likely to emerge as a sacrificial lamb this weekend."
Pedri returned to training after missing the Villarreal game due to injury and trained alongside Ronald Araujo and Dani Olmo. Pedri appears likely to start the upcoming Catalan derby against Espanyol, which jeopardises Frenkie de Jong's starting role. De Jong started against Villarreal in Pedri's absence, partnering Eric Garcia in a double-pivot. Coach Hansi Flick may revert to a Pedri-and-Garcia midfield pairing that provides defensive solidity and creative freedom. Alternatively, Garcia could move back to centre-back alongside Pau Cubarsi to handle physical forwards, allowing de Jong to remain in midfield.
Read at Barca Universal
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]