Flick faces the simultaneous absence of Pedri and Jongavi for the first time, and the midfielder will consider four different options

November 15 News In the next round of La Liga, Barcelona coach Flick will encounter the absence of the three midfielders Pedri, De Jong and Garvey for the first time.

At 23:15 on the evening of November 22, in the 13th round of La Liga, Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao at home. Joan Garcia and Rafinha are expected to return from injury in this game, but Barcelona's midfield position is short of personnel. The three midfielders Pedri, De Jong and Garvey were unable to participate in this game. This is the first time this has happened since Flick coached Barcelona.

Among them, Garvey suffered a long-term injury after meniscus surgery. He is not expected to return until February next year. De Jong received a red card in the last round of La Liga and will be suspended in the next round. Pedri suffered a muscle injury at the end of October. His physical condition has improved significantly, but he is still unable to catch up with this game.

Therefore, Barcelona coach Flick must make adjustments in the midfield position. Casado has gradually settled into the main position recently. Although he felt unwell during the warm-up before the last round of the game and did not play, Casado has now recovered and will start for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao.

One option for Flick is to arrange for youngster Bernal to start and partner with Casado as a double midfielder. But after Bernal returned from injury, he only made three substitute appearances in La Liga this season, totaling 11 minutes. He currently lacks game rhythm and it is difficult to assume the starting responsibility at this time. Flick's second option is to arrange for one of Eric Garcia or Christensen to play as a defensive midfielder. Both defenders have played in the defensive midfielder position in the past.

Flick's third option is to have one of the two attacking midfielders Fermin and Olmo drop back to play as a defensive midfielder, but this will not be able to fully utilize the offensive talents of the two. "Marca" said that Flick's other option is to change the formation, changing the double defensive midfielder and a single attacking midfielder to a single defensive midfielder and double attacking midfielders. At the same time, let Fermin and Olmo start as double attacking midfielders, putting pressure in the frontcourt to attack instead of defend.