How will Flick replace Yamal for Barca’s clash against Atleti?

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Decisions, decisions...

News that Lamine Yamal could be out of action for up to four weeks has only added to the enveloping gloom around Barcelona at present.

The epic winning run from the start of the 2024/25 campaign is now nothing but a distant memory, and if the Catalans lose to La Liga’s form team, Atletico Madrid, next Saturday, they’ll enter the Christmas period below the Rojiblancos.

Hansi Flick will need to rotate his squad to accommodate the loss of a player who has the joint most dribbles in the top European leagues, but which players could replace Barca’s talisman? Let’s take a look...

Fermin Lopez

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Although Fermin has played on the right wing before, he’s only done so for a solitary appearance.

If Hansi Flick were to station him back there it could be an experiment that doesn’t work, and Barca can’t afford for that to happen.

Twenty-six appearances on the left would suggest he’d be a better fit over there, moving Raphinha across to the right.

Raphinha

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Barca’s current captain, Raphinha, would be the more natural replacement if Flick prefers his wide men to come inside rather than take their man on down the channel.

The Brazilian has been at the top of his game wherever he’s been stationed this season, and Lewy would feast on the type of crosses that will be fizzed in from Raphinha’s left foot.

Dani Olmo

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A player that has tended to work in the No.10 role this season, but as he’s shown plenty of times at Leipzig he’s just as comfortable on the right wing - as six goals and 13 assists from that position would attest.

The temporary positional switch might allow the Spaniard to recapture his form from earlier in the season which appears to have deserted him of late.

It would also free up Frenkie de Jong to prove he still has what it takes as a battling and marauding central midfielder.

Ferran Torres

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Ostensibly being used as an impact sub for a tiring Robert Lewandowski, it’s arguable that Ferran’s more natural position is out on the right.

His pace and ability to get in behind the opposition defence would be coveted by Hansi Flick, however, his delivery from the wide areas has often needed work.

By no means a player that should be discounted but probably not the favourite to come in for Lamine.

Other outsiders include Pau Victor, Pablo Torre, Ansu Fati and even promising youngster Dani Rodriguez, yet it’s hard to see any of those four being thrown into the starting XI for such a huge game.

How do you think Barcelona should replace Yamal against Atletico? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: barcablaugranes.com