"The Frenkie de Jong-Pedri pivot has done largely well this season and was the manager's go-to midfield combination at the beginning of the season. The duo excelled in a technical sense and were unplayable through the middle, given their superiority in possession. Notably, both Pedri and De Jong were unavailable when Barcelona last faced Athletic Club. It was the night when the team played their first game back at Spotify Camp Nou, and the Dutchman was suspended while the Canary Islander was injured."
"With Pedri Gonzalez fully fit and ready to start Barcelona's game against Athletic Club later tonight, there was a sense of uncertainty around Frenkie de Jong's place in the starting lineup. After all, the Dutchman only started the team's recent games out of forced circumstances and had been swapped out for Eric Garcia in the team's games prior to that. Now, however, Mundo Deportivo brings to light a tactical piece of information that reveals a lot about what Hansi Flick has in mind for tonight's clash - and De Jong appears set to start. An internal rotation"
Pedri Gonzalez is fully fit and set to start Barcelona's game against Athletic Club tonight, creating uncertainty over Frenkie de Jong's place in the starting lineup. Hansi Flick has decided that Gerard Martin will not start as centre-back and instead Eric Garcia will start alongside Pau Cubarsi, opening a midfield spot. Frenkie de Jong will start and partner Pedri in a double pivot. The De Jong–Pedri combination has excelled technically and dominated possession earlier this season. Both were absent in the previous meeting with Athletic, when Barcelona used Dani Olmo and Eric Garcia in midfield. Removing Garcia from midfield reduces defensive cover, and Flick must address that concern.
Read at Barca Universal
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