Ahead of their La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao, coach Hans Flick had to make several lineup adjustments due to injuries and the upcoming Champions League fixture.
With defenders Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde sidelined, Flick shifted fullback positions by placing João Cancelo on the left flank and reinstating Eric García on the right side after his suspension. The central defensive pairing of Cubarsí and Gerard Marín retained coach’s trust.
Midfield saw Pedri rested after a demanding Copa del Rey outing, with Casadó stepping in alongside Bernal. In attack, Raphinha was left on the bench, replaced by Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres, who played while wearing a protective mask due to an eye injury, alongside Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo.
Flick’s priority is clearly the upcoming Champions League round of 16 match against Newcastle on March 10. These tactical changes reflect an approach focused on managing player workload to prepare optimally for the crucial European encounter.
