Mon Feb 17 19:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Barça Springs Surprise Lineup Against Rayo Vallecano
**Barcelona, Spain** – FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has unveiled a surprising starting XI for today’s La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The move comes as the club aims to reclaim the league lead, nearly two months after losing it.
The biggest surprise is the inclusion of Héctor Fort at right-back, replacing Jules Koundé, who has been benched. This is Fort’s third La Liga start of the season, his first since November 3rd. Flick cited an internal decision for Koundé’s omission, suggesting potential disciplinary reasons after the French defender’s previous absences. Despite Ronald Araujo’s recovery from injury, he also starts on the bench, maintaining the central defensive pairing of Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez. Other notable absentees from the starting lineup include Dani Olmo.
The resulting lineup sees two changes from the last match against Sevilla. Barcelona will field: Szczesny; Héctor Fort, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Lamine, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Notable players on the bench include Araujo, Koundé, and Olmo. Christensen, Ter Stegen, and Bernal remain sidelined through injury. Fort’s previous starts resulted in victories against Espanyol (3-1) and Alavés (0-3), suggesting that Flick hopes this choice will bring another positive result against Rayo Vallecano.
First Piper 