Barcelona FC will host Bayern Munich at the Estadi Olimpic Lluís Companys on Tuesday in the third round of the 2024/25 Champions League. Hansi Flick's men will seek to maintain the good feeling they left against Sevilla in the League (5-1) and defeat their European 'black beast' for the first time in nine years.
The culé team arrives with the motivation of having recovered three key pieces for the midfield, such as Gavi, Fermín López and Dani Olmo. Under these circumstances, and despite the possible loss of Eric García due to muscle problems, Hansi Flick is expected to put all 'the meat on the grill'. Below, we show you the possible starting lineups for Barcelona and Bayern Munich:
Possible lineups for the Barcelona vs Bayern Munich match
- FC Barcelona's starting XI: (13) Iñaki Peña, (23) Koundé, (2) Pau Cubarsí, (5) Íñigo Martínez, (3) Balde; (17) Casadó, (16) Fermín López, (8) Pedri; (19) Lamine Yamal, (11) Raphinha y (9) Lewandowski.
- FC Barcelona bench: (25) Szczesny, (6) Gavi, (10) Ansu Fati, (14) Pablo Torre, (18) Pau Víctor, (20) Dani Olmo, (21) Frenkie De Jong, (26) Kochen, (32) Héctor Fort, (35) Gerard Martín, (36) S.Domínguez, (39) Cuenca.
- FC Barcelona injured players: (15) Christensen, (4) Ronald Araújo, (21) Marc Bernal, (1) Ter Stegen, (24) Eric García, (7) Ferran Torres.
- FC Barcelona players suspended: None.
- Bayern's starting XI: Neuer; Guerreiro, Upamecano, Min-Jae, Davies; Kimmich, Palhinha; Olise, Gnabry, Sané y Kane.
The match will be a real test for Hansi Flick's men, who have lost six consecutive games against the Bavarians. Vincent Kompany's men crushed Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League debut (9-2), but fell to Aston Villa on the second matchday (1-0), so they will be looking to take off at Montjuïc.
For their part, the Catalans come into the match with SIX injured players. Below, we review all the positions in Barcelona's possible starting XI against Bayern Munich.
Goal: Iñaki Peña
The Alicante native is holding firm between the posts despite the presence of Wojciech Szczesny. Hansi Flick has clearly backed him and the goalkeeper will seek to repay his confidence with a winning performance against the Bavarians, which could ensure him a starting place in Saturday's Clásico against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, the Pole is waiting for his chance in the 'shadows'.
Defense: Koundé-Cubarsí-Iñigo Martínez-Balde
Everything indicates that Hansi Flick will once again start with his favourite defence in the first 'final' of the season. The Cubarsí-Martínez duo is more established than ever and will have to 'dance with the ugliest' by having to 'dry up' Harry Kane. For their part, Koundé and Balde will have the difficult task of stopping two daggers like Gnabry and Olise on the wings.
Midfield: Fermín López-Marc Casadó-Pedri
The big change in the line-up would be in the midfield, where the more than likely absence of Eric García and the discomfort of Frenkie de Jong would give way to a recently recovered Fermín López to accompany Pedri and Casadó. Despite Pablo Torre's great performance against Sevilla, the good impressions left by the '16' against the Sevillians lead us to believe that the German will bet on him. On the bench, Gavi, Dani Olmo and Frenkie himself will wait for their chance.
Attack: Lamine Yamal-Lewandowski-Raphinha
Raphinha is set to return to the left wing after playing as an attacking midfielder last Sunday against the Andalusians, while Lamine Yamal is set to remain the attacking threat on the right. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski will hope to continue his scoring streak and punish his former team in order to break the Catalans' drought against the Bavarians, who they have failed to score against in the last four games against each other.