Barcelona begin Champions League campaign against Feyenoord with strong line-up expected

FC Barcelona will begin their UEFA Champions League league-phase campaign against Feyenoord at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday, 9 September, with kick-off scheduled for 16:45 GMT.

The Catalan side come into the fixture having won each of their first four matches in La Liga and will be aiming to carry that early-season form into European competition. Hansi Flick is expected to select a team broadly similar to the one used in recent weeks.

Joan Garcia should continue in goal, while Rodri, Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are all expected to feature. Barcelona’s probable line-up also includes Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Pau Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo, Fermin Lopez and Anthony Gordon.

Eric Garcia will miss the match through suspension. Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji are also unavailable, limiting Flick’s options as Barcelona open their European campaign at home.

The match represents the first opportunity of the new UEFA Champions League league phase for both clubs. Barcelona will be looking to make a positive start in front of their home supporters, having made a perfect beginning to their domestic campaign with four victories from four La Liga matches.

Feyenoord are expected to rely on Tjark Ernst in goal, with Givairo Read and Tsuyoshi Watanabe among those set to start in defence. Their likely starting XI also includes Jerry St. Juste, Mika Marmol, Oussama Targhalline, Gjivai Zechiel, Charles Vanhoutte, Gaoussou Diarra, Nacho Ferri and Luciano Valente.

The fixture brings together a Barcelona team seeking to build on its early domestic momentum and a Feyenoord side preparing for the challenge of opening the European phase away from home. With the line-ups expected to remain close to those listed, both teams will have their plans tested from the opening whistle.

Probable line-ups

FC Barcelona: Joan Garcia, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Pau Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo, Rodri, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Anthony Gordon.

Feyenoord: Tjark Ernst, Givairo Read, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Jerry St. Juste, Mika Marmol, Oussama Targhalline, Gjivai Zechiel, Charles Vanhoutte, Gaoussou Diarra, Nacho Ferri, Luciano Valente.

The UEFA Champions League encounter at Spotify Camp Nou is scheduled to start at 16:45 GMT on Wednesday, 9 September. Barcelona’s early-season record has raised expectations around their European return, but Feyenoord will provide the first test of whether Flick’s side can transfer its La Liga form to the continental stage.