Lineup FC Barcelona against Bayern Munich: Flick has a surprise

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make a big change to his lineup when the Catalans host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Bayern have been repeatedly dubbed the “ogres” for Barca in Europe by the local press and it was, of course, Flick who endured the darkest night on the continent in 2020.

This happened in Lisbon when, thanks to Covid, the UCL's knockout phase had to be restructured to one-and-away games rather than home and away.

In the quarter-finals, Flick's Bayern dismantled Lionel Messi-led Barca 8-2 at the Estadio da Luz and went on to lift the big-eared trophy, completing an impressive treble.

Since then there have been a few group stage encounters in which Bayern have regularly emerged victorious. But for Flick, the past is the past and new chapters must be written.

“We prepare for every game by analyzing the opponent. But it is clear that it is a special game, I played there, I trained there… I have a lot of acquaintances and have a relationship with some people there,” said Flick.

“But I’m in a different chapter of my life and I’m happy here. I have very good feelings. We want to be prepared. We analyze the opponent like everyone else, even though I know Bayern better. It becomes a “It’s a complicated game. It will be a good game,” added Flick.

Barca are top of La Liga just four days before the Clasico against title rivals Real Madrid and are on a high having recently beaten Sevilla 5-1 at the Montjuic Stadium, which also hosts Bayern .

Flick will make few changes to the side that beat the Andalusians, with Fermin Lopez moving into midfield to replace Pedri ahead of Marc Casado while Ansu Fati misses out.

Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal are the front three from left to right and will look to trouble Manuel Neuer.

Back in defense, Inaki Pena will be protected by Alejandro Balde, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde, who have been accused of keeping players like Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala under wraps.

FC Barcelona vs. FC Bayern Munich's first eleven: Pena; Balde, Inigo, Cubarsi, Kounde; Casado, Pedri, Fermin; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine