Hansi Flick Faces Key Selection Questions Ahead of Tricky La Liga Clash
For Barcelona, the past week has been a tale of contrasting emotions. They may have stumbled to their first defeat of 2025 in Dortmund, but the bigger picture tells a much brighter story: for the first time since 2019, Barça are back in the Champions League semi-finals. That’s no small feat for a team that has spent the last few seasons trying to rediscover its European identity.
Now, however, attention shifts back to La Liga, where Celta Vigo present a stern test on Saturday. With top-four ambitions still mathematically possible and Real Betis breathing down their neck in the table, Flick and his men can’t afford to take this one lightly.
The match comes at a crucial juncture. Flick has largely resisted heavy rotation since taking over, but with signs of fatigue starting to show—and with several of his key players racking up serious minutes—this weekend’s fixture offers a real opportunity to freshen things up.
Here’s our Barcelona predicted lineup vs Celta Vigo, along with a look at the tactical considerations and selection dilemmas facing Hansi Flick ahead of this La Liga encounter.
Goalkeeper: Szczesny to Continue in Ter Stegen’s Absence?
GK: Wojciech Szczesny
There’s no doubt that Marc-André ter Stegen is inching closer to full fitness, but Wojciech Szczesny has done more than enough to earn another start in the meantime. The Polish international has brought calm and composure to a backline that, earlier this season, often looked nervy. Despite the loss to Dortmund, Szczesny was far from the issue—and with no official word yet on Ter Stegen’s return, expect Flick to stick with the experienced former Juventus man for another game.
Defense: Martinez and Cubarsi the Preferred Pairing
RB: Jules Kounde
Flick doesn’t have much wiggle room at right-back. Jules Kounde continues to operate in that role, even if it’s not his natural position. The Frenchman offers athleticism and defensive solidity, and with Ronald Araújo likely to be used centrally—or held back entirely for rest—Kounde keeps his spot for now.
CB: Pau Cubarsi
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Pau Cubarsi, particularly in Europe, but Flick seems committed to the youngster’s development. After enduring a tough evening in Dortmund, a return to the more familiar rhythms of La Liga should suit him. At just 17, he’s already showing poise and vision well beyond his years.
CB: Iñigo Martínez
Barça simply look more assured when Martínez is in the lineup. His experience and leadership were evident again in midweek, and Flick seems to favour the Cubarsi-Martínez partnership as his go-to duo right now.
LB: Gerard Martin
With Alejandro Balde still recovering from a hamstring injury and not expected back until early May, Gerard Martin is in line to retain his spot at left-back. Martin has stepped up admirably, showing a willingness to get forward and providing stability defensively.
Midfield: Pedri Returns, De Jong Pulls the Strings
CM: Frenkie de Jong
No one in this Barcelona side dictates tempo quite like Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman has been a near-constant in Flick’s midfield and remains undroppable for now. Even with Gavi and Eric García available, neither offers the same blend of press resistance and forward progression as De Jong. Expect him to start again.
CM: Pedri
After a brief rest against Dortmund, Pedri should return to the starting XI. Flick used him smartly off the bench in Germany, and the 21-year-old made an immediate impact. Saturday’s clash is the perfect opportunity for Pedri to get back into rhythm, particularly against a Celta side that tends to sit compact and wait for transitions.
Attack: Yamal Undroppable, Olmo Eyes Redemption
RW: Lamine Yamal
Still just 16, Lamine Yamal continues to defy expectations. There’s no indication that Flick plans to rest him, despite the heavy workload. His creativity, close control, and willingness to take players on make him irreplaceable on the right. It’s hard to see Barça’s attack functioning without him right now.
AM: Dani Olmo
It’s been a stop-start campaign for Dani Olmo, but there are signs he’s getting back to his best. Injuries and legal issues have complicated his first season in Catalonia, but Flick clearly believes in his potential. Olmo is the kind of intelligent attacker who thrives in tight spaces, and he’ll be key to unlocking Celta’s deep block.
LW: Ferran Torres
Ferran Torres has arguably been Barça’s most underrated performer in 2025. Reliable, efficient, and always a threat in the final third, he’s a strong candidate to start on the left—especially if Flick opts to rest João Félix, who has looked leggy in recent outings.
ST: Robert Lewandowski
With Kylian Mbappé suspended, Robert Lewandowski has an even clearer path toward securing another Pichichi title. The veteran striker may not be quite as explosive as he was during his peak Bayern years, but he remains lethal in the box. Lewandowski will almost certainly lead the line once again.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs Celta Vigo – Full XI
Formation: 4-2-3-1
- GK: Wojciech Szczesny
- RB: Jules Kounde
- CB: Pau Cubarsi
- CB: Iñigo Martínez
- LB: Gerard Martin
- CM: Frenkie de Jong
- CM: Pedri
- RW: Lamine Yamal
- AM: Dani Olmo
- LW: Ferran Torres
- ST: Robert Lewandowski
Final Thoughts: Rotation or Business as Usual?
While there may be calls for rotation after a physically and emotionally draining European tie, Hansi Flick knows the importance of building consistency during the run-in. Celta Vigo, though sitting mid-table, are no pushovers—they’ve been one of the league’s better sides out of possession and will look to frustrate Barça in the same way Dortmund did on Tuesday.
With another Champions League mountain looming, managing minutes without compromising results is the tightrope Flick will have to walk. Saturday’s fixture should offer us valuable clues into how he plans to handle that balance.
All eyes now turn to the Barcelona predicted lineup vs Celta Vigo—and how it shapes not just Saturday’s result, but the final stretch of La Liga.
