The next Barcelona match is here, and the newly crowned back-to-back La Liga champions are heading to the Basque Country to take on Deportivo Alavés. Manager Hansi Flick has named a 23-player squad for Wednesday's clash, blending experience with emerging talent as the team looks to maintain its winning momentum.
In goal, the options are Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, and Eder Aller, providing a solid last line of defense. The defensive line features a mix of stalwarts and rising stars, including João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsí, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martín, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Álvaro Cortés, and Xavi Espart. The midfield is packed with creativity and grit, with Gavi, Pedri, Marc Casadó, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, and Tommy Marqués ready to control the tempo. Up front, the attack is led by Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, and Roony Bardghji.
The biggest headline is the return of Andreas Christensen, who is back after missing several months with a knee injury—a major boost for the squad's depth. However, there are notable absences. Flick has opted to rest Fermín López and Frenkie de Jong, who didn't even travel, while Raphinha is out due to suspension and Lamine Yamal is sidelined with a hamstring injury. These changes could shift the team's dynamic, but the depth on display shows Barcelona's strength in depth.
Flick's likely starting XI appears to be: Joan; Kounde, Araujo, Eric, Balde; Casadó, Bernal; Roony, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski. This lineup blends defensive solidity with attacking flair, and fans will be eager to see how Rashford and Bardghji integrate into the system.
The match kicks off at 9:30pm CET/WAT (Barcelona), 8:30pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 3:30pm ET, 12:30pm PT (USA), and 1am IST (India, Thursday). Whether you're tuning in from the stands or your living room, this is a must-watch as Barcelona aims to continue its title defense. For fans looking to gear up like their favorite players, check out our latest Barcelona-inspired apparel to show your support in style.