Garcia To Start, Araujo On The Bench | 4-2-3-1 Barcelona Predicted Lineup Vs Athletic Bilbao

San Mamés is braced for a Saturday-night shoot-out as Barcelona travel north to face Athletic Bilbao with momentum in their luggage after a commanding 3-0 Copa del Rey dismissal of Atlético Madrid. Hansi Flick, staying loyal to the shape that served him so well in mid-week, will again deploy a 4-2-3-1 and is set to make a solitary change to the XI that overwhelmed Los Rojiblancos.

Joan García retains the gloves after posting a clean sheet last time out, protected by a re-jigged back four. Eric García steps in from the start to partner teenage rock Pau Cubarsi at centre-half, while João Cancelo and Gerard Martín provide width from the full-back berths, tasked with timing their forays forward to perfection. Ronald Araújo, fresh from injury, drops to the bench as emergency defensive cover.

The engine room remains unchanged: Marc Bernal and Pedri will screen the defence and dictate tempo, freeing Raphinha, Fermín López and Lamine Yamal to roam behind lone striker Ferran Torres. The trio’s chemistry in the final third will be critical if Barça are to unlock a Bilbao rearguard renowned for its intensity on home soil.

Among the reinforcements waiting in the wings are Marc Casadó, Dani Olmo and marquee loanee Marcus Rashford, while record scorer Robert Lewandowski will also be ready to add late firepower should the Catalans need a goal in the closing stages.

Kick-off at the cathedral of Basque football is scheduled for Saturday night, with three precious La Liga points the only currency that matters for Flick’s resurgent side.

Barcelona predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan García; João Cancelo, Eric García, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martín; Marc Bernal, Pedri; Raphinha, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal; Ferran Torres.

Barcelona predicted substitutes: Ronald Araújo, Marc Casadó, Dani Olmo, Marcus Rashford, Robert Lewandowski