Barcelona-Real Betis planned teams: changes after the Super Cup victory as Betis arrives without a key player

There has been little time to rest or celebrate their resounding victory over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final for Barcelona, ​​who return to action at 21:00 CEST in Montjuic. In town is Real Betis, who suffered a damaging defeat to Real Valladolid over the weekend.

Hansi Flick will have to evaluate the physical condition of his players, but MD believes that beyond the changes imposed, the German coach will not rotate much. Iñaki Peña will replace the suspended Wojciech Szczesny, and Ronald Araujo will retain his place after replacing Íñigo Martínez in the Super Cup final. The other change planned for the Copa del Rey round of 16 clash is Frenkie de Jong, who could replace Pedri.

#Barça are back in action tonight as hosts #RealBetis in the Copa del Rey.

Iñaki Peña and Dani Olmo will return, Araujo will remain and Frenkie de Jong will be closely monitored, says MD.

It is Vítor Roque’s first return to Barcelona. Isco will lead their effort. pic.twitter.com/w3QxI4Hfh7

— Soccer Spain (@footballespana_) January 15, 2025

The sport believes that Barcelona will make broader changes. They believe that Gerard Martín could be behind Alejandro Balde, and Eric García could be the no in place of De Jong. Barcelona left Ansu Fati out of their team as a healthy zero, but they also do not have Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Martínez, Andreas Christensen and Marc Bernal.

Real Betis have their own major injury problems, with Giovani Lo Celso ruled out earlier this week. He joins Chimy Ávila, William Carvalho, Marc Roca and Héctor Bellerin on the sidelines. Fran Vieites will remain in goal after the departure of Rui Silva, but Manuel Pellegrini’s team more or less recovers after that.

Official: The template. @FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/d4jThYV7Lz

— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 15, 2025

Isco will be in charge of directing matters, and Vitor Roque will return to Barcelona for the first time since leaving on loan last summer. Pablo Fornals, Natan, Juanmi and Cedric Bakambu will be their main options from the bench.