Barcelona make sweeping changes for Feyenoord as Hamza Abdelkarim starts on bench

Hans-Dieter Flick has made several changes to his Barcelona side for their Champions League league-phase opener against Feyenoord on Wednesday, but young Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim will have to wait for his first official start.

The Barcelona manager has altered the team that began Saturday’s La Liga match against Valencia, with Joao Cancelo selected from the start for the first time this season.

Cancelo replaces the young Xavi Espart, while Jules Kounde comes into the defence in place of the suspended Eric Garcia. Andreas Christensen also returns to the starting XI, taking the place of Gerard Martin.

There is a further change in midfield, where Dani Olmo has been chosen instead of Fermin Lopez. In attack, Karim Adeyemi has been handed a starting role ahead of Anthony Gordon.

Despite the number of alterations, Flick has opted to name Abdelkarim among the substitutes rather than include him in the starting line-up. The Egyptian youngster is still waiting for his first competitive start for Barcelona.

Barcelona’s midfield features Pedri, Rodri and Olmo, a trio who helped Spain win the 2026 World Cup. Flick has again selected Raphinha as the central attacking player, with Lamine Yamal and Adeyemi completing the front three.

Juan Garcia starts in goal, with Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Christensen and Cancelo forming the defensive line.

The Barcelona team is:

Goalkeeper: Juan Garcia.

Defenders: Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, Joao Cancelo.

Midfielders: Pedri, Rodri, Dani Olmo.

Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Karim Adeyemi, Raphinha.

Abdelkarim’s inclusion on the bench means he remains an option for Flick during the opening match of Barcelona’s European campaign. The teenager’s potential involvement is one of the notable talking points surrounding the squad, after he was not selected from the start despite the manager making wholesale changes elsewhere.

Feyenoord provide the opposition in the opening round of the Champions League league phase, with Barcelona beginning the competition at home under Flick’s revised line-up. The German coach has chosen experience and established first-team options in several positions, while also introducing players who have yet to make regular starts this season.

Cancelo’s selection is particularly significant as it marks his first start of the campaign. Kounde’s return is enforced by Garcia’s suspension, while Christensen’s inclusion gives Barcelona another change at the back.

In midfield, Olmo’s selection adds another creative option alongside Pedri and Rodri. Barcelona will also continue to rely on Raphinha in a central role, rather than using him in his more familiar wide position.

The match therefore begins with Barcelona making a number of adjustments from the side that faced Valencia, while Abdelkarim waits for his opportunity from the substitutes’ bench.