JAKARTA - Barcelona will appear with different squads against Real Sociedad guests in the La Liga Spanish match at the Olimpic Lluis Companys Stadium, Sunday, March 2, 2025 evening WIB. Coach Hansi Flick chose to rotate the players because Barca will face Benfica in the Champions League in the middle of the week.
Barca showed a good trend with a record five wins from six matches in La Liga competitions. This brilliant and consistent performance made Barca finally successfully pass Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid to claim the top position of the standings.
Now, Barca and Madrid are both on 54 points. But Barca has a head-to-head better than Madrid. In addition, the Blaugrana are ahead of the goal difference which confirmed they control the standings throne.
Meanwhile, Atletico, who is ranked third, has 53 points. This makes the competition in La Liga very tight compared to last season when Madrid took the lead quite far with Barca. Now, the top three teams are tackled and waiting for their competitors to slip.
In the midst of competition for the top of the standings, Flick took the risk by rotating the players. This strategy is Flick's choice because Barca will visit Benfica's headquarters in the first match of the Champions League last 16.
They were hosted by the elite Portugal team on Thursday, March 6, 2025 in the morning WIB. The coach hopes that the players will be in good shape when playing away matches in European competitions.
Strikers Robert Lewandowski and Gavi who were not played as starters against Atletico in the Copa del Rey who ended in the 4-4 draw became the first choice. In that match, they just dropped Flick in the second half.
The duo defender Jules Kunde and Alejandro Balde are likely also rotated. The two have always played throughout the season so Flick is likely to back up one of them. If the full back duo is rested, then Flick hopes for Hector Fort and Gerard Martin.
Players like Inigo Martinez, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres will also sit on the bench. This means that Frenkie de Jong will duet with Pedri in midfield. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal will work hand in hand with Gavi and Raphinha to support Lewandowski.
Sociedad really faces the same problem. In fact, they already had to meet the elite Premier League England team Manchester United in the last 16 of the Europa League. In the first match, Sociedad acted as host by hosting MU at the Reale Arena Stadium, Friday, March 7, 2025 in the morning WIB.
Coach Imanol Alguacil may not field the best squad. Moreover, young midfielder Takefusa Kubo who is an alumni of Barca La Masia's academy will be absent due to card accumulation. Not only Kubo, but also Sheraldo Becker who was banned from playing.
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In the middle, midfielder Martin Zubimendi became the motor of Sociedad's game. Meanwhile, in front there is Mikel Oyarzabal who serves as the sole spearhead.
Sociedad fielded five midfielders to match Barca's offensive game. However, the team currently ranked ninth is expected to have difficulty facing Barca.
Barcelona Lineup Forecast (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Fort, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Real Sociedad (4-5-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, J Lopez; Barrenetxea, Marin, Zubimendi, Sucic, Gomez; Oyarzabal
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