SURPRISING DECISION FROM HANSI FLICK: DE JONG TESTED AT CENTER-BACK

According to Mundo Deportivo's report; Barcelona, from the giant squads of Spain La Liga, tries to cope with the unprecedented crisis experienced in the defense line before the critical Alaves struggle to be played in the league at the weekend. Successive injuries and absences experienced in the Catalan squad, while turning manager Hansi Flick's game plans completely upside down, the German trainer found the remedy in producing surprise alternatives from inside the team. The Barcelona technical delegation, deprived of exactly 4 important defensive players being Jules Koundé, Eric García, Andreas Christensen, and young talent Xavi Espart from the names forming the main team's defense setup in the current squad, signed a brand new trial astonishing everyone at the training facilities. Dutch star Frenkie de Jong, being the backbone of the team with a playmaker role in the midfield, was pulled completely to the heart of the defense in the last tactical training and formed the center-back duo together with Pau Cubarsí. This highly surprising new defense quartet that Hansi Flick works on for the Alaves match and plans to put on the pitch shaped as young Fariñas at right-back, Pau Cubarsí and Frenkie de Jong in the center-back zone, and experienced name Joao Cancelo at left-back. The possibility of the talented Dutch player, known for creativity in midfield organization, serving directly in the center-back position in such a critical league struggle has already become the most discussed topic of the day in the Spanish sports press. The successful trainer trying to fill this massive gap in the defense by utilizing the versatility of the stars in hand instead of making reinforcements from the outside seems to directly affect the team's general game structure as well. Fans await with a massive curiosity how the experienced midfielder, known for attacking passes rather than defensive faculties, will catch a harmony with Pau Cubarsí in the center-back line and what kind of a resistance will be shown against the opponents' attackers.

IMAGE: YAHOO SPORTS