Flick changes almost half the team as Balde, Cancelo and Koundé start on the bench

Hansi Flick made far more than a minor adjustment for Barcelona’s LaLiga match against Levante. Five players came into the starting XI, with Alejandro Balde, João Cancelo and Jules Koundé among those beginning the game on the bench.

Compared with the 5–1 Champions League victory over Feyenoord, Eric Garcia, Gerard Martín, Xavi Espart, Fermín López and Anthony Gordon were brought into the side. Koundé, Andreas Christensen, Cancelo, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi dropped out.

FIVE CHANGES TO THE STARTING XI

Barcelona started with Joan García; Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Xavi Espart; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Anthony Gordon; and Raphinha.

Eric Garcia returned after serving a suspension and wore a protective mask following his recent broken nose. Espart retained his place at full-back, once again keeping more experienced competition behind him.

Raphinha continued as Barcelona’s central striker. The Brazilian entered the fixture as LaLiga’s leading scorer after four rounds, having found the net in every league game and scored six goals.

BALDE REMAINS IN THE WAITING ROOM

The selection on the defensive flanks attracted the most attention. Balde returned to the squad but was again left out of the starting XI. Deco recently insisted that there was no issue with the player while also telling him that he had to fight for his place. Flick’s selection showed that the competition was more than a convenient public message.

Espart was trusted again on the left, leaving Balde to watch another episode of Barcelona’s familiar “nothing is wrong” series from the bench.

Cancelo and Koundé were also left out, although that does not automatically mean either defender has lost the coach’s confidence. Rotation was expected during a demanding run of fixtures, particularly after a Champions League match. The scale of the changes still made one point clear: reputation and experience are not currently enough to guarantee a starting place.

Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji were unavailable because of knee problems. Most of the senior squad was otherwise available, meaning Flick’s five changes were primarily a coaching decision rather than an emergency response to a long injury list.