Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona face each other this Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 at Stamford Bridge (21:00 CEST), for the fifth matchday of the league phase. Hansi Flick's team arrives with three players out due to injury, but they welcome back Marcus Rashford and Frenkie de Jong, both absent in the match against Athletic.

We review the possible starting lineup, the substitute bench, and the injured and suspended players for Hansi Flick's Barcelona for the match against Chelsea. Complete analysis!

Possible Barça Starting XI Against Chelsea

  1. (#13, P) Joan García
  2. (#23) Jules Koundé
  3. (#04) Ronald Araujo
  4. (#05) Pau Cubarsí
  5. (#03) Alejandro Balde
  6. (#24) Eric García
  7. (#21) Frenkie de Jong
  8. (#16) Fermín López
  9. (#10) Lamine Yamal
  10. (#14) Marcus Rashford
  11. (#09) Robert Lewandowski

Barça Bench (substitute players)

  1. (#25, G) Szczesny
  2. (#31, G) Diego Kochen
  3. (#07) Ferran Torres
  4. (#11) Raphinha
  5. (#15) Andreas Christensen
  6. (#17) Marc Casadó
  7. (#18) Gerard Martín
  8. (#20) Dani Olmo
  9. (#22) Marc Bernal
  10. (#27) Dro Fernández
  11. (#28) Roony Bardghji

Injured Barça Players

  1. (#01, GK) Marc-André ter Stegen
  2. (#06) Gavi
  3. (#08) Pedri

Sanctioned Barça players:

  1. None.

Flick's Potential Surprises and Tactical Variations Against Chelsea

In principle, Hansi Flick plans to make up to three changes to his starting XI for matchday 13 of the league against Athletic, with Ronald Araujo returning to the defense alongside Pau Cubarsí. Frenkie de Jong should also return to midfield, while Eric García would remain as the pivot. Furthermore, Marcus Rashford could take Ferran Torres's place, after recovering from flu symptoms.

Goalkeeping and defense

  • Joan García will be in goal, while Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde would be the full-backs. In the center of defense, Ronald Araujo should partner Pau Cubarsí, with Gerard Martín and Andreas Christensen awaiting their chance on the bench.

Midfield:

  • As a pivot, Eric García is set to be Frenkie de Jong's partner in midfield, while Fermín López would once again be the team's attacking midfielder. Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, and Dani Olmo could come on in the second half.

Forward:

  • In attack, Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford would complete the Barcelona attack alongside Robert Lewandowski. The Pole has scored 4 goals in his last 2 matches, while the Englishman has 6 goals and 8 assists on the season. Furthermore, he knows very well

Barça Absences: Which Players Will Miss the Chelsea Clash Due to Injury?

Pedri during Barça-Valencia (6-0)

A total of three Barça players will be confirmed absentees due to physical problems. The club is still awaiting the return of Pedri González, who remains out with a left thigh injury. The Canary Islander ultimately did not make the squad against Chelsea and is targeting the match against Alavés next Saturday for his return.

Gavi, on the other hand, underwent arthroscopy and, in the end, they had to operate on the medial meniscus of his right knee. Because of this, the '6' will be out for four to five months, with February 2026 being the tentative date for his return. The latest absence is Ter Stegen, who expects to receive medical clearance in early December

Chelsea's Possible Lineup for the Match Against Barça

  • Probable XI: Robert Sánchez; Malo Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Moisés Caicedo, Santos; Enzo Fernández, Estevao, Gittens; Joao Pedro.
  • Bench: Jorgenssen (G), Merrick (G), Adarabioyo, Badiashille, Hato, James, Santos, Lavia, Bounanotte, Garnacho, Neto, Guiu, Delap.
  • Injured: Levi Colwill, Roméo Lavia, Dário Essugo, Cole Palmer.

For their part, Chelsea arrives at matchday 5 of the Champions League with four injured players, with Cole Palmer being the most significant. The winger suffered a domestic accident just before returning after two months out with groin problems. Now, he is out with a fractured toe on his left foot.

Therefore, Enzo Maresca will likely opt for Estevao and Jamie Gittens alongside Joao Pedro in attack. In goal, Robert Sánchez will be in net, while Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella should be the full-backs.

The central defensive pairing would be made up of Chalobah and Fofana, while Moisés Caicedo, Andrey Santos, and Enzo Fernández will be the midfielders of a very offensive team, with a formation similar to Barça's (4-2-3-1). The 'blues' are coming off a draw as visitors against Qarabag (2-2) and have 7 points, the same as the Barça team.