"This coach will learn the hard way", "What does Flick see in him" - Fans surprised by Barcelona star's inclusion in XI for Mallorca clash
Barcelona fans were left surprised by the inclusion of Ferran Torres in the starting XI to face Mallorca in LaLiga on Tuesday, December 3. Torres was out of the pitch owing to an injury since October 2024 and returned for Barca's last game against Las Palmas.
Hansi Flick's XI to face Mallorca featured multiple changes from his usual line-up. Inaki Pena guards the goal, with Alejandro Balde, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi, and Jules Kounde forming the backline. The midfield includes Pedri and Marc Casado.
Two significant inclusions in the attacking line-up are Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal who did not start in the last game owing to injuries. Robert Lewandowski was surprisingly left out of the line-up with Ferran Torres taking his place. Raphinha starts on the left.
Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to react to Barcelona's starting XI, with many questioning the inclusion of Ferran Torres. One X user wrote:
"This coach will learn the hard way… what on earth is ferran doing in the lineup? Don’t rotate away to Mallorca."
"God please what does Flick see in Ferran Torres that we don’t see papa God in heaven !!!!" another user exclaimed.
"No way I've just seen ferran torres as St.....," another netizen opined.
"What is ferran torres doing there ffs," a fan asked.
Fans continued to question Ferran Torres' inclusion in the line-up especially in the place of Lewandowski.
"Sorry i just woke up, its ferran over lewa? Or im high?," another user questioned.
"Ferran Torres starting. Get flick out of my club now," a fan jibed.
"Lewan top scorer is out for ferran," an X user wrote.
Barcelona have failed to win their last three LaLiga games with Real Madrid having a chance to replace them as table leaders
Despite starting the season in lethal form, Barcelona suffered a huge blow in LaLiga after their 2-1 loss to Las Palmas on Saturday (November 30). The defeat marked their third game without a win in the league after a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad (November 10) and a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo (November 23).
The loss against Las Palmas has left a chance for the Catalan side's archrivals, Real Madrid to replace them as table leaders. Los Blancos are currently 33 points strong off 14 games. They are one point behind Barcelona with a game in hand, who have 34 points off 15 games.
Real Madrid have an extra game in hand as their fixture against Valencia was canceled previously owing to the devastating floods in the region. The game is yet to be rescheduled and a win in the same could allow Los Blancos to dethrone Barca as the table leaders.
Therefore, Barcelona will be desperate to secure three crucial points against Mallorca to remain in the top spot.