Barcelona will face a crucial match next Tuesday to secure Champions League qualification. Their opponent is Inter Milan, who proved at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys that they will not give up easily. This will undoubtedly be the toughest and most demanding match for Hansi Flick’s team this season. The 3-3 draw in the first leg has left all possibilities open. The Blaugrana will have to give their all at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.
According to information from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Flick will field Iñigo Martínez at left-back due to the absence of Alejandro Balde.
The German coach will not rely on Gerard Martínez, despite this being his natural position. Flick believes he needs Iñigo’s experience in such a high-stakes match, especially since there is no room for error.
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Flick is currently facing a real dilemma: should he restore confidence in Gerard, hoping he performs adequately, or should he play Iñigo at full-back and rely on Araujo in central defense?
The first option would mean sacrificing some defensive reliability on the flank, placing greater defensive responsibility on Raphinha, but it would also preserve the chemistry between Cubarsí and Iñigo, who have delivered strong performances this season.
It is worth noting that most of the squad prefers Araujo in the starting lineup.
The second option would involve altering the core of the defensive structure, reducing depth and limiting vertical play. However, it would grant Raphinha more freedom to push forward and strengthen the team’s physical presence at the back.
Moreover, Araujo’s speed and ability to recover help offset his occasional poor coordination with the offside line.
