Following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, Barcelona is preparing to face Real Valladolid, who are currently bottom of La Liga and have already been relegated. The match is expected to feature several changes to the starting lineup and provide an opportunity to secure three more points while resting some players ahead of a crucial week that includes the second leg of the semi-final and El Clásico against Real Madrid on Sunday, May 11, at Montjuïc Stadium.
According to the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, although all eyes are on the upcoming two matches, Barcelona must first deliver a strong performance against Real Valladolid. Although the latter has nothing to play for, having gone 14 matches without a win, the reserve team must stay focused to avoid any unexpected slip-ups. Hansi Flick’s starting lineup remains uncertain, with the only confirmed change being goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen’s return to the squad after 222 days out with a knee injury.
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What concerns Flick, however, is that three players — Raphinha, Iñigo Martínez, and Gavi — are at risk of missing El Clásico if they receive a yellow card. Raphinha and Martínez are likely to be rested due to physical fatigue, while Gavi may start, especially since he did not feature in the starting lineup against Inter. If he does play, he will need to be cautious to avoid suspension, particularly given his high-energy style and constant pressing.
