Barcelona rotation pattern offers clues to Hansi Flick’s team for Racing

Hansi Flick’s carefully managed rotation system could provide a clear indication of his Barcelona starting XI for Wednesday’s match against Racing.

The German manager has said publicly that he now has his most balanced squad since arriving at the club. Since the beginning of the season, he has applied a strict rotation policy, with players sharing responsibility rather than selection being decided on the day.

After six competitive matches – five in La Liga and one in the Champions League – a recognisable pattern has emerged, according to Mundo Deportivo. If Flick follows the same approach against Racing, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Joao Cancelo, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi would be among those in line to start.

The clearest rotation has come at right-back, where Eric Garcia and Kounde have alternated. Garcia started against Athletic Club, Valencia and Levante, while Kounde was selected for the matches against Rayo Vallecano and Feyenoord. He missed one game through suspension.

A similar arrangement has been used in central defence. Gerard Martin started against Athletic Club, Valencia and Levante, while Christensen was chosen for the games against Rayo Vallecano and Feyenoord. Christensen also started the opening match against Elche, replacing Pau Cubarsi.

There has also been a division of duties at left-back. Alejandro Balde started against Valencia and Levante, while Cancelo was named in the starting line-up against Feyenoord.

In the holding midfield role, Marc Bernal and Fermin Lopez or Rodri have shared the workload. Bernal started the first three matches, against Elche, Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano. His team-mate then started the next three, against Valencia, Feyenoord and Levante. The consistent exception has been Pedri, who remains an indispensable starter.

Fermin and Olmo have alternated in the attacking midfield position. Fermin began the matches against Athletic Club, Valencia and Levante, while Olmo started against Rayo Vallecano and Feyenoord.

On the wings, Lamine Yamal has remained a regular starter on the right. The left side, however, has been rotated during the past three matches between Gordon and Adeyemi. Gordon started the La Liga fixtures against Valencia and Levante, while Adeyemi started against Feyenoord and Elche.

The same method has also extended to substitutions. When Gordon and Adeyemi have come on from the bench, they have repeatedly exchanged roles, as happened against Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Feyenoord and Levante. Bernal and Rodri have followed a similar pattern.

So far, Flick’s system has left little room for favouritism: every player is involved, and every player is expected to be ready.