Barcelona Aim for Redemption at Camp Nou Against Alavés
The Clasico sting still lingers. Barcelona, turned over 2-1 by Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou, return to the same stage on Saturday knowing there is no room for emotional hangovers in a La Liga race that punishes hesitation.
Hansi Flick has not reached for the reset button. He has gone for something subtler: continuity with a single, sharp tweak.
Flick sticks to his blueprint
The German is expected to stay loyal to his 4-3-3, trusting the structure that has underpinned Barcelona’s best spells this season. One change stands out. Alejandro Balde is set to come back into the starting XI at left-back, with Xavi Espart ruled out by an ankle injury.
It is not just a rotation. It changes the feel of the side. Balde brings raw acceleration and direct running that can pin opponents deep, and at Camp Nou, where Barcelona expect to have the ball, that matters.
Behind him, Joan Garcia keeps his place in goal despite conceding twice against Madrid. Flick backs him to respond, not retreat. In front of Garcia, Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martin are again charged with holding the line, a young central pairing asked to combine composure in possession with a little more edge after the Clasico setback.
On the right, João Cancelo will be encouraged to step high, drift inside and overload midfield when the chance appears. Balde, on the opposite flank, should have licence to attack the outside, stretching Alavés horizontally and giving the wingers room to operate.
Espart’s absence narrows Flick’s defensive options, but it also removes any doubt about the full-back roles. This is Cancelo and Balde’s stage.
Midfield tasked with control and incision
In the middle, Flick turns again to Fermin, Rodri and Pedri. On paper, it is a balanced trio; on the pitch, it must be the team’s heartbeat.
Pedri will be the reference point between the lines, knitting play, dictating tempo and searching for gaps in the Alavés block. Rodri offers the running power and vertical thrust, the man who can break lines with a carry or a late surge into the box. Fermin adds bite and energy, pressing high and snapping into duels to keep Barcelona camped in the opposition half.
Waiting in reserve, Frenkie de Jong and Marc Bernal give Flick different tools for the second half. De Jong can slow the game down, steer it, and help Barcelona manage a lead. Bernal provides fresh legs and industry if the match turns into a physical battle in midfield. Both know they may be asked to tilt the game after the break.
Wide pace, central responsibility
Up front, the plan is clear: stretch Alavés until something breaks.
Anthony Gordon starts from the left, a constant threat on the counter and a willing runner at defenders. His speed offers Barcelona an outlet if Alavés dare to press high, and his directness can force errors from a retreating back line.
On the right, Lamine Yamal carries the creative spark. The youngster will look to isolate his full-back, attack one-on-one, and either cut inside to shoot or slide passes into the channel. His ability to improvise in tight spaces could be decisive against a deep, disciplined opponent.
Through the middle, Raphinha is set to lead the line. Nominally a winger, he becomes the focal point here, tasked with occupying centre-backs, attacking crosses and finishing the moves built around him. After the frustration of the Clasico, he will be desperate to see his name on the scoresheet, not just on the team sheet.
Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus must again wait their turn on the bench. Their presence, though, gives Flick serious firepower for the final half-hour. If Barcelona need a different profile in the box, or fresh legs to run at a tiring defence, both are ready-made impact options.
A test of mentality as much as tactics
This is not just about shape on a whiteboard. It is about reaction.
Barcelona come into this match with questions to answer: can this young core shut the door at the back, can the midfield dominate from the first whistle, can the forwards turn possession into goals rather than half-chances?
Alavés will arrive sensing opportunity. Flick’s side must show that the Clasico was a bruise, not a fracture. The response, in front of their own crowd, will tell plenty about where this Barcelona are really heading this season.
