According to AS, Barcelona forward Gabriel Jesus is close to returning to the starting lineup for the match against Real Betis after being benched in the previous Champions League game against Galatasaray.
According to the Spanish newspaper AS, Flick is facing a new dilemma regarding his choice of central striker. He is awaiting Raphinha's full recovery ahead of the team's clash with Real Betis.
Thanks to careful planning and the versatility of his attacking players, the Barcelona coach has several options for the center-forward position.
Despite the many choices available, Brazilian Gabriel Jesus remains the top candidate for Barcelona's central striker role.
The player did not start in the Champions League match against Galatasaray, making him the most likely to return to the starting XI for this demanding fixture against Real Betis.
Flick must also balance playing time and find solutions to maintain the team's physical condition when making personnel decisions.
Flick had previously assured that Jesus was physically fit enough to return to the starting lineup, but ultimately he did not risk a player who has suffered from severe injuries in recent years.
The forward has every reason to start against Betis. He came off the bench for the first time against Getafe, replacing Raphinha, and scored a goal.
From a technical perspective, Jesus has integrated well into Barcelona. His movement, ability to combine with teammates, and capacity to create space made him a valuable option for the team.
Another option for Flick is to play Olmo as a false nine, a tactic he used when the team traveled to Istanbul for the Champions League.
This setup allows for an additional midfielder in the center, giving the team more control over the ball and making it harder for the opponent's defense to manage, as there is no traditional center-forward for the central defenders to mark.
However, it is unlikely that this strategy will be used from the start against Betis, as this approach is only suitable for specific situations and not all matches.
Furthermore, this choice would deprive Barcelona of a true central striker and would also diminish Olmo's influence behind the front line.
Another option has emerged: playing Anthony Gordon as a central striker, leaving the left wing to Serhou Guirassy.
Gordon has scored in two consecutive games, and he is in excellent form.
However, Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim's chances of playing against Real Betis appear very limited.
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