FC Barcelona returns to action this Wednesday, January 21, in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, visiting Slavia Prague. After Sunday's loss to Real Sociedad, Hansi Flick's team must immediately turn the page to resume the fight to advance to the round of 16 of the Champions League.
- 📺 Where and when to watch the match on TV: channels broadcasting the Slavia Prague-Barcelona match LIVE WATCH
Barça adds 10 points in the league stage, thus remaining in 15th place in the standings, just 3 points behind the TOP-8. Atalanta, with 13 points, currently holds eighth place, awaiting the results of teams like Liverpool or Atlético de Madrid on Wednesday (both have 12 points).
- 👉 Lineups: Possible starting XIs for Slavia Prague and FC Barcelona: SEE
Barça needs a thrashing in their visit to Czechia
In that regard, goal difference becomes crucially important in the final stretch of the league phase. The defeats of **Inter Milan**, **Paris Saint-Germain**, and **Manchester City** on Tuesday against **Arsenal** (1-3), **Sporting CP** (2-1), and **Bodo/Glimt** (3-1) were positive for Barça's interests, as all three clubs can still be overtaken by Barça in the standings.
PSG and City remained with 10 points, but Luis Enrique's team has a wide goal difference (+10) compared to the 'sky blue' squad (+4). Inter, for their part, has 12 points and a +6 goal difference, while Hansi Flick's team maintains a +3 after 6 matchdays
The Blaugrana team could not win by a wide margin against Eintracht (2-1), so they will have to go to Czechia for a thrashing against a Slavia Prague that has conceded 11 goals so far in the group stage. Jindrich Trpisovsky's team, moreover, has not scored since matchday 1 (2-2 against Bodo/Glimt (2-2), and has only managed 3 draws in the tournament (a 0-0 at home against Athletic, another in Italy against Napoli).
Barça, on the other hand, only lost away to **Chelsea** (3-0) and already defeated **Newcastle** (1-2), in addition to drawing in Belgium against **Bruges** (3-3). The Catalans have scored 14 goals and conceded 11, with the thrashing of **Olympiacos** on matchday 3 (6-1) being their biggest win so far.
Hansi Flick recovers Raphinha, but loses Lamine and Ferran in Prague
With matchday 7 of the Champions League approaching, Barcelona arrives with 4 absences, 3 of them due to injury. In addition to the long-term injured (Gavi and Christensen), Hansi Flick will not be able to count on Ferran Torres. The 'Shark' remains the team's top scorer with 15 goals in 25/26, but will be out for about a week and a half due to a right leg injury.
Lamine Yamal, for his part, will also not be available due to suspension (accumulation of yellow cards). Raphinha, on the other hand, will return to the starting XI, having been sidelined as a precaution against Real Sociedad on Sunday due to discomfort in his right thigh. Barring any surprises, the Brazilian will form the attacking trident alongside Roony Bardghji and Robert Lewandowski
Deep down, everything should remain the same, with Joan García in goal and a defense made up of Koundé, Eric García, Cubarsí, and Balde. Frenkie de Jong should also repeat as pivot, accompanied by Pedri and Fermín López. The '8', however, is coming off an ankle injury on his right ankle and it wouldn't be surprising to see Dani Olmo in his place from the start.
- ℹ️Call-up: The players called up by Hansi Flick for Slavia Prague-Barça SEE
Slavia Prague, without official matches since mid-December
The case of Slavia Prague is much more complex. The Czech league pauses its calendar from mid-December to the end of January due to low winter temperatures. Therefore, Jindrich Trpisovsky's team has not played an official match since December 13 (a 4-3 victory against Jablonec) and has scheduled three friendlies before the match against Barça to regain competitive rhythm.
The Czechs, leaders in their league with a 7-point advantage over Sparta Prague, fell to **Basel** (4-3), drew with German side **Karlsruher** (1-1), and beat Norwegian team **Brann** (2-1) prior to Wednesday's match at the Eden Arena. The game will be played in sub-zero temperatures (around -3°C) and with some snow, a significant obstacle for Flick's team's offensive play
- 👉 Follow all the latest news about the Catalan team at FC Barcelona News and check the updated calendar for upcoming commitments.