Barcelona face Feyenoord test as Hansi Flick’s side begin Champions League campaign

Barcelona begin their Champions League league-phase campaign against Feyenoord on Wednesday, with Hansi Flick’s side aiming to end an 11-year wait for European football’s biggest prize.

The Catalan club last lifted the trophy in 2015, when they won a fifth European title. Feyenoord, European champions in 1970, arrive at the Nou Camp hoping to upset the established order and underline their own return to the continent’s top competition.

Barcelona have made an outstanding start to the 2026-27 season. They have won all four of their La Liga matches, beating Elche, Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia, and have scored 17 goals. That record leaves them alone at the top of the Spanish league.

Domestic success remains an important target for Flick’s team, but the Champions League is the competition that dominates Barcelona’s ambitions. They reached the quarter-finals last season before being eliminated by Atletico de Madrid, having gone out in the semi-finals in 2024-25.

Their attacking quality has been evident from the opening weeks of the campaign. However, Barcelona will need to show that their defence has improved sufficiently if they are to go all the way in Europe.

They have faced Feyenoord only twice before, in the last 16 of the 1974-75 European Cup. Barcelona progressed comfortably, winning 3-0 on aggregate.

Feyenoord’s form means they should not be dismissed. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side, who finished second in the Eredivisie last season, are unbeaten in five competitive matches this term, recording three wins. Their latest result was a convincing 3-1 victory over Nijmegen.

Including friendlies, the Rotterdam club have not lost in any competition since the start of March.

Feyenoord’s only European Cup triumph came in 1970, when they defeated Celtic 2-1. Ove Kindvall and Geels formed a prolific partnership that produced 13 goals during that campaign.

The Dutch club are determined to restore their reputation on the European stage after a disappointing 2025-26 season. They failed to reach the Europa League knockout phase and were eliminated in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Their most recent appearance in the competition’s knockout rounds came in 2024-25, when they lost 4-1 on aggregate to Inter Milan in the last 16.

Barcelona’s recent form is four wins from four in all competitions, while Feyenoord’s record reads three wins and two draws in their past five matches.

Flick will have to manage several selection issues. Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji are unavailable with knee injuries, while Eric Garcia is suspended. Summer signing Jesse Bisiwu has returned to training after a contusion but remains a major doubt.

The Barcelona manager may also have difficult decisions to make despite his team’s impressive form. Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi could all begin on the substitutes’ bench. Eric Garcia’s suspension is expected to allow Jules Kounde to start at right-back, with Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon and Fermin Lopez likely to support Raphinha in attack.

Feyenoord have an even longer injury list. Thomas Beelen has a broken leg, while Bart Nieuwkoop, Gijs Smal, Jakub Moder and Jordan Bos are all ruled out with ankle or knee problems.

Givai Zechiel has been one of the standout players for the Dutch side, scoring four goals and providing three assists in five appearances from midfield this season. Luciano Valente has contributed three goals in five matches, while Nacho Ferri is expected to lead the attack. Shaqueel van Persie, son of former Netherlands and Feyenoord striker Robin van Persie, is expected to start on the bench.

The anticipated Barcelona line-up is: Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, Espart; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon; Raphinha.

Feyenoord are expected to field: Ernst; Read, Juste, Watanabe, Marmol; Vanhoutte, Givai Zechiel, Targhalline; Luciano Valente, Nacho Ferri, Diarra.

Feyenoord’s positive start could allow them to threaten Barcelona during spells of the game, but the hosts’ attacking strength is expected to prove decisive. Barcelona’s creativity in the final third should eventually create enough opportunities to secure victory.

The predicted result is a 3-1 win for Flick’s side.

The listed betting selections include Barcelona to win with both teams scoring at odds of 2.00, more than 3.5 goals at 1.40 and Raphinha to score at 1.50. A correct-score bet on Barcelona to win 3-1 is available at odds of 9.50 with Betclic.