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soccer player in white FC Barcelona uniform touching his head during a match.

Final Test for Frenkie De Jong. Gavi and Fermín Stay on Their Toes

Flick gives Balde a rest and keeps Pedri out of rotations.

Frenkie De Jong is playing as a starter for the first time today with Hansi Flick in the Barça dugout.

This will be the Champions League match that FC Barcelona will play tonight in Belgrade, against Red Star. This time, the blaugrana team will wear black.

Until now Frenkie has played a few minutes, coming off the bench. His most important game of all was the 4-0 at Bernabéu. Frenkie came on after the break replacing Fermín and with him came the goals.

Soccer players from two teams compete for the ball in a match.
Flick has asked Frenkie to show the same intensity he showed at Bernabéu | Getty Images

Fermín and Gavi Remain on the Bench

The presence of Frenkie De Jong in the midfield alongside the untouchable Pedri and Casadó relegates Fermín and Gavi to the bench. They have not yet found their moment to settle once they have overcome their injuries.

The Dutchman's appearance in the starting eleven could mean a turning point for him at Barça. The fans expect much more from him than he's offered.

At Bernabéu, Frenkie De Jong found himself comfortable with Flick's style of play and today he is obliged to confirm it because he's putting everything on the line. The competition is fierce and, if he doesn't take advantage of the opportunity, he'll miss the boat.

What is surprising is that Pedro, a player with historical problems caused by the overload of matches, doesn't rotate.

The absence of Dani Olmo, who's recovered from his injury and after his excellent performance in the classic, is also surprising. Flick doesn't want to take the slightest risk with his players.

Image of a soccer player with the FC Barcelona lineup for a UEFA Champions League match against Red Star, showing the names of the players and coach Hansi Flick.
Frenkie De Jong and Gerard Martin are Barça's new additions in Belgrade | FCB

The Lineups for Red Star-Barça

The rest of the lineup that Barça will present in Belgrade is the same as usual. The only exception will be  the absence of Alejandro Balde, who'll be replaced by Gerard Martín.

Up front, the lethal trident formed by Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski and Raphinha.

Red Star will start with Ilic, Seoul, Djiga, Spajic, Krunic, Elsnik, Maksimovic, Silas, Rodic, Kanga and Ndiaye. Keep an eye on Maksimovic, the young Serbian prospect who claims to be better than Lamine Yamal.

And Barça will play with Iñaki Peña, Koundé, Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Gerard Martín, Casadó, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski.