FC Barcelona will begin their UEFA Champions League campaign against Feyenoord at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday, 9 September, with kick-off scheduled for 16:45 GMT. Hansi Flick’s side are aiming to carry their perfect start to the Liga season into Europe after winning their opening four matches.
The Catalan club are expected to name a team similar to the one used in recent weeks, although they will be without Eric Garcia through suspension. Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji are also unavailable for the opening match of the league phase.
Joan Garcia is expected to continue in goal, while Rodri and Pedri are included in midfield. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are also set to feature in an attacking line-up that includes Anthony Gordon.
Barcelona’s probable XI is:
Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Pau Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri, Fermin Lopez; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Anthony Gordon.
Feyenoord will travel to Barcelona with Tjark Ernst expected to keep his place in goal. Their likely defensive unit includes Givairo Read and Tsuyoshi Watanabe, while the projected midfield features Oussama Targhalline, Gjivai Zechiel and Charles Vanhoutte.
The Dutch club’s probable XI is:
Tjark Ernst; Givairo Read, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Jerry St. Juste, Mika Marmol; Oussama Targhalline, Gjivai Zechiel, Charles Vanhoutte; Gaoussou Diarra, Nacho Ferri, Luciano Valente.
For Barcelona, the fixture represents the first opportunity to establish momentum in the UEFA Champions League after an impressive domestic opening. Their four victories in Liga have placed the focus on whether Flick will retain the same core of players for the European test.
The home side’s selection reflects the expected involvement of several of their key figures, including Pedri, Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. However, the absence of Eric Garcia, Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji means Flick will have fewer options available as Barcelona start their European schedule.
Feyenoord are expected to rely on Ernst in goal and a defensive group led by Read and Watanabe. Their projected starting line-up also includes Jerry St. Juste and Mika Marmol in defence, with Targhalline, Zechiel and Vanhoutte listed in midfield.
The match will be played at Spotify Camp Nou, where Barcelona will look to make a strong start to the first matchday of the UEFA Champions League league phase. Kick-off is at 16:45 GMT on Wednesday, 9 September.