According to reports, football never stops, and this means Barcelona players cannot enjoy their historic Copa del Rey final victory as much as they would like. After the match, extra time, and celebrations that lasted almost until dawn, the game against Inter Milan is coming up soon, and Hans-Dieter Flick must start thinking about his starting lineup from Monday.

Up to seven players expected to start in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday have played over 100 minutes: Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres. In fact, only Pedri and Torres were substituted before the 120-minute mark. Pedri had 20 minutes of rest, while Torres only got five minutes.

Considering the high pressure Barcelona has endured—six matches in the last 18 days—the lengthy Copa del Rey final has only added more strain. The problem is there is no time for regret, as Barcelona must play midweek for another three weeks. They are just eight games away from a potential treble, but fatigue is starting to show.

Before the first leg against Inter, Barcelona’s coach must find the right balance, which won’t be easy as he must consider multiple factors. On one hand, Flick needs fresh legs to compete against Inter’s tactically strong team. Additionally, the absence of Marc Casado, Alejandro Balde, and Robert Lewandowski means the squad is nearing a crisis, so the coaching staff must minimize injury risks for overworked players.

However, the reality is that the match against Simone Inzaghi’s Inter is practically a final, so this doesn’t seem like the right time for caution. Barcelona is just 180 minutes away from reaching the Munich final, and everyone in the dressing room knows it’s time to push. The match against Valladolid, sandwiched between the two Inter games, might offer a chance to rest some key players, but it’s unlikely to happen this Wednesday at Montjuic.

The only doubts about Barcelona’s lineup concern the left-back and attacking midfield positions. Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez played the full 120 minutes against Real Madrid, but their outstanding performances and Flick’s complete trust in them suggest they will likely pair up again against the Italian side.

Araujo remains a likely option, though this would mean moving Martinez to left-back, a role the Basque midfielder took on in the final minutes at La Cartuja. Overall, the most probable scenario is that Gerard Martin remains in the starting lineup, and Flick repeats his defensive setup.

In midfield, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are expected to be rotated. Gavi is an alternative, but it seems unlikely the Dutch star will start from the bench. Changes may occur in the attacking midfield position. Fermin Lopez could replace Dani Olmo, who would serve as a second-half weapon, especially given his injury struggles this season.

It remains to be seen what decision Flick will make after consulting with the player about his physical condition, as he has just recovered from an injury and played twice in four days.

In attack, Yamal and Raphinha will join Torres, who continues to shine. All three were exhausted against Real Madrid, but the high stakes of the Inter match make it practically unthinkable for any of them to be benched.

Source: Sport