"FC Barcelona will be hoping to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League when they face FC Copenhagen at home tonight. The Blaugrana are currently ninth in the table and need a big win tonight against the Danish outfit while hoping for other results to go their way in order to stand a chance of making it into the top eight, which would secure a direct path into the Round of 16. Barça go into the match on the back of positive results, winning their previous two matches against Slavia Prague (UCL) and Real Oviedo (La Liga)."
"Hansi Flick, however, will have to make do without two very important players for tonight's clash at the Spotify Camp Nou as Pedri misses out through injury, and Frenkie de Jong is out due to suspension from an accumulation of cards. In addition, Gavi and Andreas Christensen also remain unavailable, while January signing Joao Cancelo is ineligible to feature. Ferran Torres is expected to be back after training with the team on Tuesday, which will be a welcome boost for the hosts."
"Hansi Flick opted to make some rotations in the backline against Real Oviedo, but will revert to his usual options in defence. It should see Jules Kounde return to the lineup on the right side, while Alejandro Balde should reclaim his spot on the left flank. Meanwhile, Pau Cubarsi is a permanent fixture at the heart of the Barcelona defensive unit. The big question Flick has to answer is who will partner the young Spaniard with Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, and Gerard Martin vying for the spot."
Barcelona sit ninth in their 2025/26 Champions League group and require a big home win over FC Copenhagen plus favourable other results to reach the top eight and secure direct Round of 16 qualification. The team arrives on the back of wins over Slavia Prague in the Champions League and Real Oviedo in La Liga. Hansi Flick will be without Pedri (injury) and Frenkie de Jong (suspension), with Gavi, Andreas Christensen unavailable and Joao Cancelo ineligible; Ferran Torres trained and could return. Defensive roles should see Kounde and Balde reinstated, with Pau Cubarsi partnered by either Araujo, Eric Garcia, or Gerard Martin.
Read at Barca Universal
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