Barcelona look to continue their excellent run of form and return to winning ways in Europe as the Blaugrana welcome Eintracht Frankfurt for a massive Champions League match at Camp Nou.
The Blaugrana have three League Phase games remaining to try and find a way into the Top 8, a mission that feels impossible after the loss to Chelsea two weeks ago. All they can do now is win the final three games and hope that other results go their way, and the Catalans will be big favorites against a Frankfurt side which have one of the worst defenses in all of Europe.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Tuesday’s battle:
Defense
Barça conceded two late goals in their comprehensive win over Real Betis at the weekend but had a strong defensive showing in the first 70 minutes, and Gerard Martín had yet another great night as a center-back. His pairing with Pau Cubarsí is starting to look really good, and Jules Kounde is slowly beginning to improve at right-back while Alejandro Balde is expected to start on the left after being substituted as a precaution at halftime in Seville. Joan Garcia will also be good to go in goal after a slight injury scare at the weekend.
Midfield
Hansi Flick surprised many on Saturday when he lined up Lamine Yamal as a true number 10, and the teenager was so good in that position that he might very well start there for the second game in a row since Fermín López has just returned from injury and didn’t look up to speed at the weekend. As for Frenkie de Jong, as good as the Dutchman is and as fruitful as his partnership with Pedri has been in 2025, he may very well have to wait his turn on the bench for a while because Eric Garcia has simply been that good and is one of the very first names on the teamsheet these days.
Attack
Flick made a decision to save the legs of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski for all 90 minutes at the weekend with the clear goal of having them fully fit to start this one, and we expect that to happen despite Ferran Torres’ hat-trick againt Betis. That would leave one spot open on the right wing, and we think Flick will reward Roony Bardghji’s excellent showing at the weekend with another start in this one to try and replicate the awesome chemistry between the young Swede and Lamine Yamal in Seville.
Possible XI: Joan; Kounde, Cubarsí, Martín, Balde; Eric, Pedri; Roony, Yamal, Raphinha; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Frankfurt? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
