FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make a big call in the Czech Republic by dropping Lamine Yamal to make way for Roony Bardghji in a must-win Champions League match against Sparta Prague on Wednesday.
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FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make a big call in the Czech Republic by picking Roony Bardghji for a must-win Champions League match against Sparta Prague on Wednesday.
The Catalans have improved on the continent since setback losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea home and away, with a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt the perfect way to see out 2025 at the Spotify Camp Nou.
In their first UCL match this year, however, three points are non-negotiable if Flick’s men want to try and avoid an extra two matches in a packed calendar which would be a playoff tie to reach the last 16.
Those that finish from first to eighth in the league phase will automatically go through, and while Barca currently languishes in 15th, a win could take them up into the threshold depending on how other results pan out.
Flick will field a strong FC Barcelona side with one exception
For this away trip in freezing conditions, Flick will field his strongest possible side – with one exception.
Because of accumulating too many yellow cards, Lamine Yamal will have to sit this one out.
Rather than putting Raphinha on the right, though – and someone like Dani Olmo, Fermin or Marcus Rashford on the left – it is the Brazilian and Roony Bardghji who will man the flanks.
Because of Ferran Torres’ injury expected to keep him out for 10 days, Robert Lewandowski will be the central number 9.
Though he was on the left flank in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad so that Olmo could play as well, Fermin is merely the CAM behind the attacking trident in this instance.
In midfield, it’s a double pivot of Pedri and skipper Frenkie de Jong, who has hopefully calmed down since his furious rant at referee Gil Manzano.
Back in defence, Joan Garcia’s goal is protected by a line of Alejandro Balde, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde.
What FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said
“It’s the Champions League and there is pressure in every game … They defend well and press high up the field, and that is what I expect of them.
“They like to attack and press and they are dangerous on the break. It will be a tough game and we will have to put in a Champions League performance. It will be key to be attentive to not losing the ball.”
FC Barcelona Vs. Sparta Prague Line Up: Joan Garcia; Balde, Eric, Cubarsi, Kounde; Frenkie, Pedri, Fermin; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Roony
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2026/01/21/fc-barcelona-vs-sparta-prague-line-up-flick-makes-big-call-in-attack/
