Hansi Flick Confirms Barcelona Squad for Galatasaray Clash as Several Stars Miss Out
Hansi Flick has named the Barcelona players travelling to Istanbul for Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Galatasaray. The Catalan side will face a demanding test at RAMS Park, where the home crowd is expected to create an intense atmosphere.
The squad announcement confirms that Barcelona will be without three notable players. Raphinha has been ruled out after suffering a thigh muscle strain while on international duty. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong and defender Andreas Christensen have also stayed in Barcelona as they continue their recovery programmes.
Their absence leaves Flick with important decisions to make, particularly in midfield and across the forward line. Even so, the travelling group includes a substantial range of options in every area of the pitch.
Barcelona’s travelling squad
Goalkeepers: Joan García, Wojciech Szczęsny, Dominik Livaković.
Defenders: Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Éric García, Gerard Martín, João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Xavi Espart.
Midfielders: Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Fermín López, Marc Bernal, Rodri, Brian Fariñas.
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon, Gabriel Jesus, Hamza Abdelkarim.
Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo are among the most prominent attacking options available to Flick. The squad also features summer arrivals Gabriel Jesus and Anthony Gordon, giving Barcelona several ways to challenge Galatasaray’s defence. Their pace and ability to attack space could prove particularly useful if the hosts push forward and leave openings behind.
Raphinha’s absence removes a direct threat from the wing and deprives Barcelona of one of their regular attacking outlets. Flick may need to adjust the balance of his front line, whether by giving another wide player a starting role or asking the available attackers to share Raphinha’s responsibilities.
De Jong’s unavailability is a separate concern. His ability to receive the ball under pressure and carry it through midfield often helps Barcelona escape an opponent’s press. Without him, Pedri and Rodri could be central to the team’s efforts to control possession, set the pace and move the ball into dangerous areas.
Gavi and Fermín López offer further energy and mobility in the middle of the pitch, while Dani Olmo can provide a link between midfield and attack. Flick will have to decide whether Barcelona should prioritise possession and patience or look to advance quickly when Galatasaray leave space during their attacks.
The defensive options give the coach flexibility on both flanks. João Cancelo and Alejandro Balde can contribute going forward, while Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí and Éric García provide alternatives in central defence. Christensen’s absence, however, reduces the number of experienced choices available at the back.
Galatasaray will be looking to make the most of home advantage and the pressure generated at RAMS Park. Keeping Yamal from finding space out wide will be a key task for the hosts, while winning the ball and attacking through central areas could offer them a route to goal.
For Barcelona, managing the atmosphere will be as important as executing their tactical plan. Calm possession, careful choices in the first phase of build-up and disciplined positioning after losing the ball can help prevent Galatasaray from turning the match into a series of dangerous transitions.
The visitors also have to consider how much defensive cover to commit when their full-backs advance. Cancelo and Balde can stretch the opposition, but Galatasaray may try to exploit the space they leave behind. Barcelona’s midfielders will therefore need to balance their attacking support with the responsibility of protecting the back line.
Flick’s selection provides several possible combinations, but the missing players limit some of the usual options. The final approach will depend on whether Barcelona can establish control early and how effectively their available attackers respond to a hostile European away test. With key names absent, the depth and adaptability of the travelling squad could prove decisive.