Hansi Flick’s rotation policy in recent matches looks set to continue in Saturday’s clash against Sevilla. The Barcelona manager made it clear that he will make changes to the starting XI in order to manage his players’ minutes, with Pau Cubarsí one of those expected to come into the team after sitting out the match against Racing.
“We’ll see what we do, but of course we’ll make changes. It’s normal. We have to do it to manage the minutes. What I can say is that Cubarsí will play. It was important for him to get a rest against Racing,” Flick said ahead of the match at the Sánchez Pizjuán.
One player who has started every game and appears unlikely to get a rest in Seville is captain Raphinha. The Brazilian has established himself as the undisputed leader of the team, and Flick was full of praise for the forward, who has managed to pass his energy and pressing intensity on to his teammates.
“If you look at the last two seasons, we’ve always started the press with the No. 9, and he has that incredible hunger, intensity, mentality and attitude to initiate the pressing that we need. He is at a top level.
“It’s not just about scoring goals, which he’s doing brilliantly, but also his defensive work. He always starts the defensive effort, the pressing, and everyone gets involved. People say, ‘If he goes, I go.’ It’s about all the players going together, and he is the one who starts it. As captain, he leads the way and everyone follows him,” Flick said, clearly delighted with Raphinha’s performances.