Flick to rotate Barcelona squad for La Real clash
Hansi Flick has confirmed that Barcelona will rotate its squad for the upcoming LaLiga clash with Real Sociedad amid concerns about its packed fixture schedule.
The clash with La Real kickstarts a run of five games in 14 days for Barcelona, which includes a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie with Benfica.
It also faces title rival Atletico Madrid in its final league game of the month before the international break, with the hopes it is still in contention for trophies.
Flick's side is enjoying a 14-match unbeaten run across all competitions, with hopes of winning LaLiga, the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey still on track.
"There are a lot of things going on this season, and I've changed the training sessions," Flick said.
"In other games, like the [Copa del Rey] one against Valencia, we hardly rested, and the team did great. We have to be focused on the game.
"There are no excuses.
"The calendar doesn't give us many more options. It's something that has an impact."
Barcelona comes into the match with La Real with huge confidence, having won five consecutive LaLiga games for the second time this season.
It has also scored in each of its past 37 home games against La Real in LaLiga – 87 goals in total – its third-longest home scoring streak against the same opponent in the competition's history.
But its defensive fragilities have been on show in recent weeks, despite only conceding 25 goals in LaLiga this season, the fourth-best record in the division.
Barcelona conceded four goals in an entertaining 4-4 draw in the Copa del Rey first-leg semi-final against Atletico in midweek, but Flick was not concerned.
"I'm not worried about when we concede.
"We start from scratch. What we have to do is take the energy and decide how to play," Flick said.
"We already saw the two goals against Atletico, but then we played a good game.
"We invested a lot of energy at the end of the game too. We have to do things better as a team; we know that."
Flick also confirmed that Barcelona will be without defender Andreas Christensen against La Real.
"Andreas has been injured, and we have to wait and see how serious it is. Let's hope it's not. He has retired early. We have very good defenders.
"Ronald (Araujo) came in after an injury and is doing very well. He has everything to reach very high levels."
