Barça’s Subtle Shuffle: Araujo Starts as Flick Keeps the Spurs of a 7-2 Night Quietly Warm

Lineup change and match context

Hansi Flick, Barcelona's coach, made a single alteration to the starting XI for the Rio Vallecano match on Sunday, a contrast to the side that crushed Newcastle United 7-2 in the last-16 second leg. The Catalans arrive buoyed by an 8-3 aggregate triumph into the Champions League quarterfinals.

The team hosts Rio Vallecano in La Liga Round 29 at Spotify Camp Nou, with eyes on widening the gap atop the table before Real Madrid's derby clash later in the day.

Team news and expected lineup

Ronald Araujo is the only change in Flick's XI, coming in to rest Eric Garcia and avoid any potential fitness concerns.

Flick had hinted before the match that Juan Garcia would be a starter, a prediction that has come true as the coach sticks with a measured approach after the Newcastle tie.

In this setup, Barcelona are not taking any chances with Garcia due to potential fitness issues, while Lewandowski remains at the spearhead after scoring twice in the previous game.

There is a notable suspension risk for Marc Bernal; a yellow card would rule him out of the next match against Atletico Madrid if booked in this game.

Barcelona’s starting XI is expected to be: Juan Garcia, Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo, Marc Bernal, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Rafinha. On the bench: Wojciech Szczesny, Koshin, Espart, Eric Garcia, Curtis, Casado, Gavi, Olmo, Roni, Marcus Rashford, Ferran Torres. The team also contends with injuries to Jules Conde, Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde, and Andreas Christensen.