Barcelona may have been dealt their first defeat in 2025 by Borussia Dortmund this week, but will take plenty of heart from Real Madrid’s own loss in the Champions League quarter-finals, as both sides prepare for the Copa del Rey final next week. As Los Blancos debate Carlo Ancelotti’s future, his Blaugrana counterpart is trying to find a way of making sure his players are at their best for the crucial final stretch of the season.
The Catalan giants have already lost starting left-back Alejandro Balde to injury, and with a short squad, Flick can ill-afford to lose any more of his starting team. Dani Olmo has recently returned from more time out, but Flick is reportedly considering him off the bench against Real Madrid in the Copa final and instead starting Fermin Lopez in Seville.
As per Sport, Flick will test out his starting team against Celta Vigo this weekend, and then rotate for their midweek game against RCD Mallorca on the Tuesday before they face Los Blancos. The only doubt over the starting XI is whether Fermin, Gavi or Olmo start, even if the former is in pole position. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are fixtures behind that spot, as are the front three of Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal.
At the back, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez will accompany Gerard Martin at left-back. Martin is likely to be rested against Mallorca, for at least some of the game, while one or two of the forward line will also be given a break against Mallorca. Should Real Madrid fail to beat Athletic Club on Sunday night, that will also ease the pressure on the Blaugrana.
Deco has made the signing of a right-back a priority for this summer. The left-back position is considered to be well-covered with Balde, Martín and the emerging Jofre Torrents. @juanjimenista
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 17, 2025
Certainly Flick’s biggest challenge is ensuring that his side remain fit and capable of producing their best in the home strait. Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha and Kounde have shown signs of heavy legs in recent weeks, with the calendar more and more pressed. After the Copa del Rey final, Barcelona will have just three days before Inter visit Montjuic for the Champions League semi-finals.
