Everything about following Hansi Flick’s Barcelona right now feels like a high-speed chase. One minute you're celebrating a 3-2 Super Cup win over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia, and the next, you're looking at a freezing Wednesday night in Prague. It’s January 2026. The schedule is basically a meat grinder. If you're looking for the Barcelona lineup today Champions League edition, you've gotta realize Flick isn't just picking names out of a hat—he’s managing a squad that is nursing a "Super Cup hangover" while trying to secure a top-eight spot in the new UCL league phase.
Barcelona sits in 15th place in the Champions League standings right now. That's... not great. With 10 points from 6 games, they are currently in the playoff zone, trailing leaders like Arsenal and Bayern. Winning tonight against Slavia Prague isn't just "preferred," it's mandatory if they want to avoid those extra February playoff games that kill squad depth.
The Defensive Mess: Araujo, Cancelo, and the High Line
Let’s talk about the backline because it's kind of a disaster and a masterpiece at the same time. Ronald Araujo is the big talking point. He’s back in the squad after a mental health break (which, honestly, more players should be allowed to do), but here’s the kicker: he’s suspended for this specific Champions League game.
So, who starts at the back?
Pau Cubarsí is a lock. The kid is 18 and plays like he has a mortgage and three kids. He’s the anchor. Beside him, we’re likely seeing Eric García or Gerard Martín. Flick has been using Eric as a "balancing anchor" in midfield lately, but with the defensive shortage, he might have to drop back.
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Then there’s João Cancelo. He just arrived on loan this January window. Is he ready? Flick loves his "high risk, high reward" style, and Cancelo fits that like a glove. He’ll probably start at right-back to give Jules Koundé a breather, or even left-back if Alejandro Balde needs a rest.
Predicted Defensive Shape:
- GK: Joan García (The breakout star of the season)
- RB: João Cancelo
- CB: Pau Cubarsí
- CB: Eric García
- LB: Alejandro Balde
The Midfield Engine: No Gavi, No Frenkie, No Problem?
Midfield is where things get really "Barça." Gavi is still out with that meniscus injury—hoping for a February return—and Frenkie de Jong is currently serving a ban. It's thin. But Pedri is finally fit. He missed the end of 2025 with muscle issues, but he’s the "5th captain" now and the undisputed heartbeat of this team.
Watch out for Marc Casadó. He has quietly become the most important player you’ve never heard of. He does the dirty work so Pedri and Dani Olmo can act like magicians. Olmo is coming back from a shoulder injury and might start on the bench, but expect him to feature if Slavia Prague plays a low block.
The Rashford Factor and the Front Three
This is where it gets weird. Marcus Rashford is at Barcelona. Yeah, it still feels weird to say. He’s on loan and has been "adapting," which is code for "looking fast but sometimes losing the ball." But with a congested schedule, Flick is likely to rotate.
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Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are the superstars. They’ve been carrying the team. Raphinha’s leadership has been "contagious," according to everyone around the club. However, Ferran Torres is actually the club's top scorer right now with 14 goals across all competitions. He has somehow leapfrogged Robert Lewandowski in the pecking order for big games. Lewandowski is 37. He’s still a legend, but he can’t play 90 minutes every three days in 2026.
The Attack Today:
- Lamine Yamal (Right Wing): You don't bench him unless he's literally unable to walk.
- Ferran Torres (Striker): "The Shark" is in better form than Lewy.
- Raphinha (Left Wing): The captain who never stops running.
Why Today’s Game Matters More Than You Think
Most people think "It's just Slavia Prague," but the Czech side is sitting on 3 points and playing for their lives. If Barcelona drops points here, their final league phase game against FC København on January 28 becomes a nightmare.
Flick’s tactics rely on a suffocating high press. If the lineup today lacks the energy (looking at you, tired legs from Saudi Arabia), Slavia will exploit that high line. We saw it happen when Chelsea beat them 3-0 earlier this season.
Wait, what about the keeper? Marc-André ter Stegen is dealing with knee pain. It’s not serious, but Joan García has been so good that Flick doesn't need to rush the captain back. García is arguably the "signing of the season" despite being a youth product who came back or was promoted—he’s kept them in games they had no business being in.
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Actionable Insights for the Match
If you're watching the game or tracking the Barcelona lineup today Champions League updates, keep an eye on these specific triggers:
- Watch the 60-minute mark: If Dani Olmo or Robert Lewandowski are on the bench, they will almost certainly come on at 60' to chase a result or kill the game.
- The Offside Trap: Flick's Barça forces an absurd amount of offsides (Real Madrid got caught 12 times in one game!). If Slavia stays onside early, Barça's defense is in trouble.
- Cancelo's Positioning: See if he tucks into midfield. If he does, it means Flick is trying to overload the center to make up for Frenkie de Jong’s absence.
The official lineup usually drops about 75 minutes before kickoff. Given the current injury list and the recent Super Cup exertion, expect a mix of "heavy hitters" and "functional rotation."
Get your coffee ready if you're in the States; it’s going to be a long, tactical battle in Prague. Barcelona needs this win to stay relevant in the top tier of European football this year.
Next Steps for Fans:
Check the official team sheet exactly one hour before kickoff to see if Lamine Yamal is starting or being saved for the Real Sociedad game this weekend. If Pau Cubarsí is somehow rested, prepare for a very high-scoring game at both ends. Monitor the UEFA live standings; a win could jump Barcelona from 15th to as high as 9th by the end of the night.