"Barcelona will face a team that stands out for its physical presence. Players such as striker Nick Woltemade, centre-back Dan Burn, or midfielder Joelinton are just some examples of the aerial strength of the English side. Despite that threat, everything suggests that Flick will once again rely on the same defensive line that started the match against Athletic Club."
"The big uncertainty is what role awaits Ronald Araujo in this match. His attributes suit this kind of encounter perfectly, and he also delivered a great performance in the same stadium a few months ago, but he has mainly been an occasional option for Flick."
"If Flick were to include Araujo in the centre of defence, Cancelo would drop out of the starting lineup, and Gerard Martin would move to the left-back position. Araujo's inclusion would also force Cubarsi to play as the left-sided centre-back. So, this presents a major dilemma for Flick."
Barcelona faces Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 first leg with limited defensive options due to injuries to Jules Kounde, Alejandro Balde, and Frenkie de Jong. Newcastle presents a significant aerial threat through players like Nick Woltemade, Dan Burn, and Joelinton. Flick is expected to deploy the same defensive line that started against Athletic Club, featuring Eric Garcia at right-back, Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin as centre-backs, and Joao Cancelo at left-back. The primary tactical question involves Ronald Araujo's role; his defensive attributes suit Newcastle's physical style, but Flick has used him sparingly. Including Araujo would require repositioning Cancelo and Martin, creating a significant selection dilemma for the manager.
Read at Barca Universal
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