El Clasico: Flick’s Barcelona Tactical Decisions Against PSG Give Real Madrid Major Clues

Share on Twitter Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has reportedly given Real Madrid an indication of his plans for Sunday’s El Clasico following his tactical decisions during the Catalan giants’ 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The German tactician appeared to have one eye on the weekend’s crucial La Liga encounter, with several important players either rested or substituted early during Tuesday’s European clash.

According to Madrid Universal, Flick’s handling of his squad against the reigning European champions suggested that keeping his key players fit for the meeting with Real Madrid was a major consideration.

One of the biggest surprises came before kick-off when Rodri was omitted from Barcelona’s starting lineup.

The Spanish midfielder was reportedly not confident of maintaining the required intensity throughout the 90 minutes, prompting Flick to hand Marc Bernal a starting role.

Rodri was eventually introduced after the intensity of the encounter had dropped, although he still appeared uncomfortable during his time on the pitch.

Flick subsequently confirmed that the former Manchester City midfielder would be available for Sunday’s encounter against Madrid.

The Barcelona manager also took precautions with Pedri and Raphinha, withdrawing both players around the hour mark.

Raphinha’s substitution was particularly significant, considering his recent return from injury and limited involvement in Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over Real Betis.

The Brazilian winger remains an important figure in Flick’s attacking setup, and his availability could prove crucial against Jose Mourinho’s side.

Meanwhile, young defender Xavi Espart was also replaced in the 74th minute, with Flick seemingly unwilling to risk another injury setback ahead of the Clasico.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, are reportedly not planning significant rotations for their Champions League encounter on Wednesday.

Mourinho is expected to maintain a strong lineup as Los Blancos look to build momentum ahead of their trip to the Spotify Camp Nou.

Barcelona currently hold a six-point advantage over their bitter rivals in La Liga, making Sunday’s encounter particularly important for Madrid’s title ambitions.

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A victory for Mourinho’s men would reduce the deficit to three points, while defeat could leave them nine points behind the defending champions.

Although Barcelona’s defeat to PSG may have exposed certain weaknesses, Madrid will be aware that Flick’s side could present a different challenge with their key players fully available.

With both teams preparing for one of the biggest fixtures on the Spanish football calendar, Flick’s selection decisions have added another intriguing dimension to Sunday’s showdown.

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