The Japan Times - Champions League ambitions encourage Barca gamble in Bilbao

The dream of returning to the European throne for the first time since 2015 may lead Hansi Flick's side to take their eyes off the ball in La Liga this weekend.

The Spanish champions visit Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, going into the weekend with a four-point lead on rivals Real Madrid, who visit Celta Vigo on Friday.

With Alvaro Arbeloa's side at a low ebb following Monday's defeat against Getafe, Flick may choose to use the breathing room to gamble on heavy rotations before next week's Champions League last 16 clash at Newcastle.

The Catalan giants finished Tuesday's Copa del Rey semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid drained, winning 3-0 but eliminated 4-3 on aggregate, adding to the pressure for Flick to give his stars a break.

"Everyone was exhausted because they left everything on the pitch, they gave more than 100 percent," said Flick.

Barca changed their travel plans on Wednesday to head directly to England from Bilbao, rather than returning home first.

With Newcastle in the last 16, and then either Atletico or Tottenham Hotspur in a potential quarter-final, Barcelona can see a relatively kind route towards the final four.

Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde suffered injuries against Atletico and join Frenkie de Jong on the sidelines, while Robert Lewandowski may have to play in a mask after suffering a fractured eye socket.

Midfielder Pedri has only recently returned from injury but Flick pushed him to play the full 90 minutes against Atletico.

"I think we needed Pedri on the pitch, this is why I ask him if he can continue and I'm really happy (he's not hurt)," admitted Flick.

"It was a risk to play 90 minutes. He said after the game 'nothing happened, I'm okay'."

Lesser-utilised players like Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo and Roony Bardghji could be handed starts, along with on-loan Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford.

The England international has impressed at times this season but since Raphinha returned from injury, has fallen out of favour.

One player Flick has a hard time rotating is teenager winger Lamine Yamal, who is hungry to play every minute he can.

During a recent 3-0 win over Levante, the 18-year-old showed his frustration at being taken off with just a few minutes remaining and the points in the bag.

Former Barca coach Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Bilbao have had a difficult season and sit ninth in La Liga, 16 points off fourth place.

However the Basque side are usually extra-motivated by the visit of one of Spain's biggest two sides to San Mames and with Barca's Champions League ambitions evident, can smell blood.

They will be looking to make amends to their fans after a derby defeat by rivals Real Sociedad on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Player to watch: Alexander Sorloth

Atletico Madrid's Norwegian target man is in form and has five goals across his last four games across all competitions. After appearing as a substitute in midweek in the Copa del Rey, he is likely to start against Pellegrino Matarazzo's tricky Real Sociedad at the Metropolitano stadium on Saturday.

Key stats

2 - consecutive defeats in La Liga for Real Madrid

9 - matches without a win for Espanyol, who host bottom side Real Oviedo on Monday

171 - clearances by Real Betis' Natan, more than any other player

Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Celta Vigo v Real Madrid (2000)

Saturday

Osasuna v Mallorca (1300), Levante v Girona (1515), Atletico Madrid v Real Sociedad (1730), Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona (2000)

Sunday

Villarreal v Elche (1300), Getafe v Real Betis (1515), Sevilla v Rayo Vallecano (1730), Valencia v Alaves (2000)

Monday

Espanyol v Real Oviedo (2000)

T.Sasaki--JT