As manager Hansi Flick revealed, Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League plans for Inter Milan appear to have been ruined by their hard-fought win against Real Valladolid on Saturday.
Barcelona had to come back again to take all three points, winning 2-1 against a stubborn Valladolid side, who struck gold first at home to Barcelona.
Despite the importance of the win that pushes them closer to the La Liga title, Flick was forced to make unplanned changes early in the game.
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Flick decided to rest players for the Champions League tie in midweek, by making nine changes in the lineup that started against Inter in the first leg of their CL semi-final clash in midweek.
First-team stars, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, started on the bench as players such as Ansu Fati and Pau Victor were given a chance to prove their worth.
The decision was, however, met with disappointment from an early goal from Ivan Sanchez denting the German manager’s plan to provide rest to his main stars.
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The 60-year-old manager was forced to introduce Raphinha at the start of the second half. Yamal was brought into the game in the first half after Dani Rodriguez sustained an injury.
Raphinha’s introduction early in the second half proved to be an ideal solution, as the Brazilian winger scored the equaliser in the 54th minute before Fermin Lopez sealed the fate of the match with a 60th-minute strike.
The former Bayern Munich boss later explained his initial plan for the game, and the personnel he wanted on the pitch at what time, while also singing praise to three of his players.
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Speaking to reporters, Flick said: “I planned for Pedri and De Jong to play just 45 minutes each.
“But, I would have also liked Raphinha and Lamine to play fewer minutes. I’m not disappointed in anyone.
“We made nine changes, they’re young, I believe in them. It wasn’t easy.
“There were some mistakes, quick transitions, but Araujo and Christensen had good games, as did Ter Stegen.”
Flick could be worried about the impact that could have on the Blaugrana’s performance in the second leg as he and his boys aim to seal a Champions League final spot in Milan on May 6.
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