Barcelona concludes its impressive season against Valencia at the Mestalla on Saturday, having already secured the La Liga title. With pride as the only incentive, head coach Hansi Flick has made significant decisions regarding his squad selection.

As the summer approaches, several Barcelona players are set to represent their countries in the World Cup. Notably, Jules Kounde and Raphinha have been omitted from the squad for the Valencia clash, allowing them to focus on the upcoming tournament in North America. This decision aligns with Flick's strategy to manage player health ahead of the World Cup.

• Jules Kounde did not participate in Friday’s training session, leading to his exclusion. Flick confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the France international is being preserved to avoid any risk of injury.

• Raphinha, who has faced a challenging season riddled with injuries, has also been left out to ensure he is fit for Brazil at the World Cup.

Flick opted against calling up replacements for the absentees. While Eric Garcia and Xavi Espart are adequate substitutes for Kounde in defense, Raphinha's absence means only four forwards will travel to Mestalla: Roony Bardghji, Marcus Rashford, Ferran Torres, and Robert Lewandowski, who is set to make his final appearance for Barcelona before his contract expires.

Flick’s decision to rest these players emphasizes his commitment to player welfare, especially with the World Cup looming. Although the match carries little weight for Barcelona, they aim to finish the season on a high note.