BREAKING NEWS: Following his stellar performance in the Clasico against Real Madrid, Hansi Flick has made an unexpected alteration to Barcelona’s starting lineup for the derby against Espanyol, promoting the team’s standout player to a crucial position as a reward for his exceptional form!

Barcelona is set to face Espanyol in an intense local derby at Montjuïc on Sunday, marking the twelfth round of the Spanish League. The Catalan giants currently lead La Liga with 30 points, while Espanyol is struggling near the relegation zone in seventeenth place, with just 10 points.

According to reports from El Nacional, German coach Hansi Flick is planning some adjustments to Barcelona’s lineup for the upcoming clash.

Flick, who has overseen a strong season for Barcelona so far, is reportedly making specific changes to the midfield for the derby match against Espanyol. The newspaper highlights that Flick’s plan includes moving Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong into the starting lineup, alongside Casado in the midfield.

Meanwhile, Pedri will shift to a more advanced position, taking on the playmaker role to help maintain the team’s balance and offensive momentum.

De Jong has been a key performer for Barcelona, especially after his impressive display in the recent Clasico against Real Madrid. His contribution in this high-stakes match has evidently earned him a starting spot in the derby against Espanyol, marking his sixth appearance in this fixture with Barcelona.

Flick is keen to reward De Jong’s excellent form by solidifying his place in the starting eleven, anticipating that his creativity and control will be crucial in the derby.

Flick’s tactical changes are part of a broader strategy to keep Barcelona on their winning path and extend their lead over main rivals Real Madrid. Currently, Barcelona has a six-point advantage over Real, though Madrid has a postponed match against Valencia, delayed due to severe flooding in the city.

Flick hopes that by securing another victory over Espanyol, Barcelona can further widen this gap to nine points, reinforcing their position at the top of the table.

As Barcelona prepares for this high-energy matchup, fans eagerly anticipate the derby’s outcome and the potential impact of Flick’s lineup choices. The decision to start De Jong is seen as a reflection of his growing influence on the team, as well as Flick’s confidence in his abilities to lead the midfield in a crucial derby.