As Barcelona gear up for what promises to be one of the most pivotal El Clásicos in recent memory, all eyes are on Hansi Flick and the tactical puzzle he must solve. The biggest challenge? Containing a red-hot Vinícius Júnior, who has been in scintillating form with four goals in his last three matches. For Barcelona's coaching staff, the consensus is clear: neutralize Vinícius, and you go a long way toward neutralizing Real Madrid's attacking threat.

With the title implications looming large at Spotify Camp Nou, Flick is weighing three serious options to handle the Brazilian winger: Jules Koundé, Eric García, and club captain Ronald Araújo. Historically, Araújo has been Barcelona's go-to solution in high-stakes Clásicos, often shifting from his natural central role to right-back specifically to counter Vinícius's blistering pace and direct runs. But this time around, the calculus feels different.

Koundé has been Flick's preferred choice at right-back for much of the season, and despite an inconsistent campaign by his own standards, he remains the frontrunner to start. His physicality, recovery speed, and one-on-one defensive chops make him a compelling option against a player of Vinícius's caliber. However, Eric García has thrown a wrench into the plans with his recent performances. The Spanish defender impressed on the right side against Osasuna while Koundé served a suspension, and reports indicate that the coaching staff were pleased with what they saw.

What seems almost certain is that García will feature in the starting XI. The lingering question is whether Flick deploys him at right-back or alongside Pau Cubarsí in central defense. If García moves into the middle, Barcelona may have to break up their established defensive partnership, adding another layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes tactical chess match.