Barcelona open their Champions League campaign against Feyenoord

Barcelona begin another attempt to reclaim the Champions League on Wednesday evening. Hansi Flick’s side host Feyenoord at Spotify Camp Nou, with kick-off scheduled for 6:45pm CEST.

The hosts arrive after an excellent start to their domestic season, although Flick will be without three players. Eric García is suspended, while Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji remain sidelined through injury. Hamza Abdelkarim has once again been included in the senior squad.

FLICK NAMES HIS 23-MAN SQUAD

Flick has selected 22 first-team players and Hamza for Barcelona’s opening European fixture. The young forward will be available if the coach decides to use him, but his inclusion should not be confused with confirmation of a debut. A place on the team sheet is still some distance away from an appearance on the pitch.

Barcelona’s squad to face Feyenoord:

Joan García, Wojciech Szczęsny, Dominik Livaković, João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Brian Fariñas, Pau Cubarsí, Gavi, Fermín López, Pedri, Gabriel Jesus, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Xavi Espart, Karim Adeyemi, Andreas Christensen, Rodri, Anthony Gordon, Gerard Martín, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Jules Koundé and Hamza Abdelkarim.

Eric García is serving a suspension carried over from last season. The defender was sent off during Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final defeat away to Atlético Madrid. He is also recovering from a nose injury, but the ban is the official reason for his absence from the European squad.

BARCELONA CARRY STRONG LEAGUE FORM INTO EUROPE

Flick’s team have won all four of their opening LaLiga fixtures, scoring 17 goals. Their latest performance was a 5-0 victory over Valencia at Estadio Mestalla, where Lamine Yamal scored twice and Fermín López, Raphinha and Pedri also found the net.

That form gives Barcelona a legitimate reason for confidence. The familiar early-season discussion about returning to the top of European football is backed by results this time, even if four domestic victories do not settle any of the questions that await in the Champions League.

Several summer arrivals could make their first European appearances for the club. Rodri has already won the competition with Manchester City, while Karim Adeyemi, Gabriel Jesus and Anthony Gordon all have Champions League experience from their previous teams. Their next task is to help Barcelona reproduce their domestic attacking form against stronger European opposition.

FEYENOORD ARRIVE WITH A 19-GAME UNBEATEN RUN

Feyenoord finished second in the 2025/26 Eredivisie and currently sit third after five matches of the new campaign. They have won each of their three away league games and are unbeaten in 19 fixtures across all competitions, a run stretching back to March.

The visitors are coached by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who made 105 appearances for Barcelona between 2003 and 2007. Former Barcelona academy defender Mika Mármol is also part of the Feyenoord squad.

Gjivai Zechiël and Luciano Valente have scored seven goals between them this season and represent two of the main attacking threats. Feyenoord are expected to be without Thomas Beelen, Bart Nieuwkoop, Gijs Smal, Jakub Moder and Jordan Bos, leaving Van Bronckhorst with particular problems in defence.

THE FIRST TEST OF BARCELONA’S EUROPEAN AMBITION

Barcelona are clear favourites. They have home advantage, greater depth and an attack that has started the season in ruthless form. Feyenoord’s unbeaten run should still prevent any assumption that the points will arrive automatically.

German referee Sven Jablonski will take charge of the match, with Bastian Dankert operating as the video assistant referee.

Flick acknowledged before the game that every major club dreams of winning the Champions League, but he also stressed that Barcelona must prove they are capable of doing it. Feyenoord provide a manageable opening test. They also offer an immediate warning against allowing the annual European promises to get ahead of the football.