Newcastle United v Barcelona: Manager’s big ‘dilemma’ over three positions for CL clash

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick needs to make key decisions when selecting his starting lineup to face Newcastle United in the Champions League on Thursday.

Lamine Yamal is set to miss out while Frenkie de Jong, who missed last weekend’s match against Valencia, returned to training.

Wednesday’s edition of Sport report Flick has a ‘dilemma’ when picking his midfield for the clash against Newcastle at St James’ Park.

Pedri and Marc Casadó started against Los Ches, and duo had impressed in the middle of the pitch. The former was replaced by Marc Bernal, who returned from a long-term injury

Sport say Pedri is untouchable, and the manager has to decide his midfielder partner for tomorrow’s Champions League fixture.

Casadó is the Dutchman’s back up, and with De Jong retaining to training, Flick will have to decide whether to start him or retain with the Pedri-Casadó partnership against the Magpies.

Over at AS, they report Flick has a ‘dilemma’ whether to start Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araújo up front and in the centre-back positions respectively to face Newcastle.

The 37-year-old Pole had an injury at the start of the season and came off the bench in last three games, with Ferran Torres starting in all four games so far.

AS say Lewandowski is effective than the Spaniard and is the third highest scorer in the Champions League, while Flick is impressed with Torres’ ability to open up opposition’s defence this season.

Araújo, on the other hand, didn’t start in last two games and Flick favoured Pau Cubarsí and Eric García in the heart of the defence.

AS state: ‘In this case, we’re back in the same boat as with Lewandowski. It’s a big game, and it’s against a team with a powerful aerial game. Araújo has a good chance of returning to the starting lineup.’

They use the same argument to indicate De Jong could start ahead of Casadó tomorrow.