How will Barcelona line up against Atlético?
Hansi Flick’s possible XI for Tuesday’s clash
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia during the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen, second leg match at the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain. Picture date: Wednesday March 18, 2026. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images Barcelona look for a strong start to their Champions League quarter-final tie against Atlético Madrid when they meet the Colchoneros in the first leg at Camp Nou just four days after their hard-fought La Liga clash at the capital.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Wednesday’s battle: Defense Diego Simeone was able to rest most of his starters on Saturday, a luxury Hansi Flick was not afforded given the importance of a win for the title race. But the Barça coach is still going to pick a strong lineup, and this is what we expect. Barça had an injury scare at the back on Saturday when Ronald Araujo was forced off with a minor muscle issue, but the Uruguayan will be available for this one.
We don’t think he’ll start, however, with Jules Kounde playing a solid half-hour at the weekend that should have him ready to go at right-back on Wednesday. Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín will remain the center-back pairing, and we think João Cancelo will continue at left-back ahead of Alejandro Balde. Midfield Frenkie de Jong remains a major doubt and is unlikely to start even if he makes the squad, while Marc Bernal won’t be available with a sprained ankle suffered in Madrid.
That leaves Marc Casadó and Eric Garcia as realistic options to partner Pedri since Gavi is probably not ready to start, and we think Flick will choose Eric to have more defensive solidity in midfield. Dani Olmo was very good at the weekend while Fermín López struggled, so we think Olmo will start in the number 10 role in the first leg. Attack Flick decided to rest Robert Lewandowski after a busy international break, and the Pole came off the bench to score the winner and prove why he’s the man to lead the line on Wednesday ahead of the struggling Ferran Torres.