As Hansi Flick's Barcelona charges continue their pre-season tour of Asia, attention now turns to their second friendly encounter, a highly anticipated clash against K League 1 side FC Seoul.
Having secured a solid 3-1 victory over Vissel Kobe in their opening fixture, fans are now eager to see how Flick will rotate his squad, give minutes to new signings, and fine-tune his tactical approach against a strong Korean opponent. With plenty of talent vying for starting spots, predicting the starting XI becomes a fascinating puzzle.
The Korean public is eagerly anticipating the chance to see the international stars they usually watch on their screens each week during the season. With that in mind, here’s our predicted starting lineup for tomorrow’s fixture:
Wojciech Szczęsny
Although officially listed as the number two, giving valuable minutes to the Polish goalkeeper will be an important part of the Asia tour. Manager Hansi Flick is expected to rotate his options, likely bringing off Szczęsny in place of Joan García at half-time or during the second half to ensure both shot-stoppers get time on the pitch.
Jules Kounde
After featuring off the bench in the second half of the match in Japan, and with Eric García missing full-team training upon arrival in South Korea, the regular right-back will likely be the man to shield Garcia until the second game in the country. Héctor Fort could be in line for more minutes, potentially coming on to replace the Frenchman during the game. An opportunity to celebrate that new contract with a starting position.
Ronald Araujo
With the spot alongside the likely Íñigo Martínez still up for grabs, this match presents a key opportunity for the club’s young defenders to stake their claim, particularly in the battle between Pau Cubarsí and the highly rated Uruguayan prospect. The latter has made it clear he’s seeking a guaranteed starting role and is prepared to leave the club if that doesn’t materialize. This is his chance.
Inigo Martinez
There’s no need for wholesale changes if Flick is aiming for continuity throughout the Asia tour friendlies. Around 60 minutes of action should offer a solid buildup for the Spanish centre-back, maintaining rhythm without overexertion. He’s likely to be replaced by Andreas Christensen later in the match, as the back-up defender will also need valuable minutes to stay sharp.
Alejandro Balde
Balde remains the standout choice at left-back, with Jofre Torrent and Gerard Martin currently viewed as backup options. Giving the Spanish international more minutes, ideally more than 45 minutes , compared to his limited time in Japan would be valuable at this stage of preseason. It will also help clarify the pecking order behind him, especially after both youngsters split second-half duties in the match against Vissel Kobe.
Frenkie de Jong
The Dutchman featured in the second half of the match, with Pedri and Gavi initially occupying the central midfield roles. Upon his introduction, he brought a sense of composure and control to the midfield, stabilizing the team’s rhythm. As someone widely regarded as a first-choice starter alongside Pedri, he will need increased minutes during the tour to build sharpness ahead of the season.
Gavi
The blonde bombshell will be eager to earn another start, with his performances under close scrutiny as he looks to solidify his case for increased minutes this season. His positional battle with Pedri and Marc Casado is set to continue, and that internal competition can only benefit Barcelona, pushing both players to maintain high standards, even in pre-season friendlies.
Dani Olmo
Fermín López will sit this one out, but it's likely that he and his midfield counterpart will share minutes throughout the season.
Lamine Yamal
Many fans have purchased tickets or tuned in specifically to watch the young star in action, with his quality evident every time he steps onto the pitch. Another 45 minutes of play would be valuable for his development, especially as Roony Bardghji looks to stake his claim as a reliable backup option for the season ahead.
Robert Lewandowski
When you need to start the game off right, the Pole will bring you goals, goals, goals.
Marcus Rashford
Hansi Flick has acknowledged that Marcus Rashford will need to be carefully managed, and giving him the first 45 minutes likely fits into that plan. With questions surrounding his move still lingering, Rashford will be eager to make a strong impression—and there’s no better stage to begin proving himself.