Barcelona is preparing for one of its most important matches with several uncertainties regarding their defensive lineup. The absence of Lamine Yamal could trigger a complete reconfiguration of the team, potentially moving key players like De Jong or Gavi into midfield, which would allow Pedri to play a more advanced role. Additionally, Raphinha could shift to the right, and Olmo to the left. However, the biggest question mark is who will partner Iñigo Martínez in central defense.

The last game raised some doubts after Cubarsí's mistake against Dortmund, where he gave away a soft penalty and made other tactical errors, leading to his benching in the match against Leganés. Despite this, the young defender remains one of the favorites to start this Sunday, although coach Flick may have other options in mind.

One alternative gaining momentum is Eric García, who, despite not being in the best form at Barça, had a solid performance against Leganés. Although he was involved in the opposition's goal, he completed 74 minutes without major issues. Eric's past mistakes, including an unfortunate error in Monaco and subsequent suspension, have been setbacks, but after recovering physically, he could be considered for the starting role by Flick.

The most risky option would be Ronald Araújo. While the Uruguayan has been training with the team for several weeks, his last appearance was in the summer, raising doubts about whether it’s wise to start him in such a high-stakes game. However, Araújo's determination to play is undeniable, and Flick might opt to use him as a defensive option if Atlético intensifies their offensive pressure with players like Sorloth.

Casadó’s role will be crucial in this match, as he is expected to act as a defensive anchor, helping the center-backs when Atlético’s forwards, such as Griezmann or Julián Álvarez, drop deep to receive the ball between the lines and create danger.

In summary, while there are several options to partner with Iñigo Martínez in defense, Barcelona finds itself at a defensive crossroads, and the match against Atlético could be key in determining who will lead their defense in the coming fixtures.