Hansi Flick has urged consistency from referees across all sidelines, saying, “All I ask is for the referees to decide the same for every bench.”
The Christmas break is just around the corner, with only two matches left for teams to secure a peaceful holiday. This is the case for both Barcelona and Leganés. The Blaugrana have two matches to solidify their lead, which has been under threat due to recent lackluster performances and poor results. Flick’s side has dropped ten points over the last five games, and if they want to finish on top, they cannot afford to slip up in these two matches against Leganés and Atlético. Similarly, the pepineros are battling at the bottom of the table, striving to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Barcelona urgently needs a reaction in LaLiga. Following a 1-5 victory against Mallorca, it seemed they had overcome their earlier struggles against Real Sociedad, Celta, and Las Palmas. However, against Betis, the same mistakes resurfaced, and they dropped two crucial points.
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Flick’s team is coming off a vital victory in Europe, where they fought hard to defeat Borussia Dortmund on their home turf. It was a commendable win, as they had to take the lead three times to secure the points in a stadium where no one had won in European competition for the last three years.
Now, they aim to replicate that success in LaLiga at home. Montjuïc had been an impregnable fortress until Las Palmas unexpectedly took all three points there. Barcelona is determined to regain their strength at home, a key factor in their title aspirations. On paper, it looks promising; Leganés is one of the few teams in the league, alongside Getafe, Espanyol, and Valencia, that has yet to secure an away win this season.
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Flick will be forced to make rotations for tonight’s match. Some of his players have logged a lot of minutes and need rest. One such player could be Rafinha, who had to be substituted against Dortmund due to fatigue-related physical issues. Casadó is in a similar situation, having become a key player for Flick despite his youth, but he has hardly had a break this season.
The defense also faces concerns, particularly with Íñigo Martínez, who has played practically every minute. Ronald Araujo is set to play his first minutes of the season against Leganés, according to the manager’s intentions stated at the press conference, though it remains unclear if he will start or come on in the second half.
In addition, there’s good news with Ansu Fati returning to training with the rest of his teammates. Although he has not yet received medical clearance, it is expected that he will get it in the morning and be available for selection. Evidently, he will not start, but if the match allows, he could see some minutes. Flick won’t be on the touchline, however, as he has been suspended for two games following his red card in Sevilla.
The Madrid team is seeking to score points for the first time in their history at Barcelona’s ground, having come close in the 16/17 and 18/19 seasons when they fell victim to goals from a prime Messi. In Butarque, they are aware of the difficulty of facing the league leaders, but the urgency to return to form is crucial to avoid slipping into the relegation zone. Against Barcelona, Borja Jiménez’s side will be unable to call upon Rosier due to suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card. Franquesa will also be absent for an extended period. Brasanac and Nastasic are doubtful, having missed some training during the week. Dani Raba and Haller, however, are fit and will be included in the squad. The biggest changes could see Altimira come in for Rosier and the return of Juan Cruz after not starting against Real Sociedad. Many blanquiazules fans will be in the stands at Montjuïc.
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