Hansi Flick catches everyone off guard by responding to Pedri and Raphinha’s request, choosing to punish a struggling Barcelona player by leaving him on the bench for the match against Atletico Madrid
Barcelona is gearing up for a highly significant first-leg encounter in the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Atletico Madrid. Head coach Hansi Flick is determined to guide his team to a strong position in the tie, aiming to secure qualification for the final without having to rely on the second leg to turn things around.
According to reports from HBAgency, Flick is seriously considering a tactical adjustment by starting Ferran Torres in the forward line instead of Robert Lewandowski. This potential change is said to have been influenced by requests from key Barcelona players Pedri and Raphinha, who believe Torres would be a better fit for the match.
As reported by the Spanish media outlet AS, Flick intends to keep both Raphinha and young talent Lamine Yamal in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Lewandowski is expected to be rested due to his lackluster performance in Barcelona’s recent match against Las Palmas. In contrast, Torres, who made a strong impact by scoring in that game, is set to take his place in the attack.
So far in the current season, Ferran Torres has been a valuable contributor to the team, featuring in 27 matches across all competitions. He has managed to score 11 goals and provide 3 assists, making a compelling case for his inclusion in the starting eleven.
The much-anticipated first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals is scheduled to take place today, Tuesday, at Montjuïc Stadium, where Barcelona will look to gain an advantage before heading into the return leg.
