Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has challenged his team to overcome the absence of Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres against Slavia Prague and keep themselves in contention for direct qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League.
The LaLiga leaders head to the Czech Republic having seen their 11-match winning run in all competitions come to an end with a shock 2-1 defeat at Real Sociedad on Sunday, which allowed rivals Real Madrid to close up to within a point.
Flick will be without key forward Yamal for Wednesday night’s European tie because of suspension through accumulating three cautions, while Torres is set to be out for around 10 days with a thigh problem.
Raphinha, though, will be available again at the Fortuna Arena having missed the defeat by Real Sociedad with a minor knock.
Flick confirmed goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen did not travel with the rest of the squad as he looks to finalise an expected loan move to Girona.
Barcelona sit 15th heading into the penultimate round of initial group phase fixtures – but are just two points off a spot in the top eight, which would secure safe passage straight to the last 16 and so avoid a play-off round in February.
“This is the Champions League and there is always pressure,” Flick told a press conference.
“We have had time to prepare for this match and we want to win both our last two games to get to the 16 points.”
Flick added: “For Barcelona, your goal is to win the Champions League, we have this objective in our careers and I hope we can show it tomorrow.”
The standings before MD7 🔢#UCL pic.twitter.com/kA51CiLEf6
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 19, 2026
Slavia are top of the Czech domestic table, without defeat in 19 games, but have yet to win in their six league phase European fixtures – beaten 3-0 by Inter, Arsenal and also Tottenham.
Flick, though, warned against complacency.
“Slavia is a team that defends very well and presses high,” said Flick, who opted for the team to train after arrival in Prague on Tuesday afternoon to help acclimatise to the cold.
“They played their last match in mid-December, so have had a long time to prepare for this match.
“They are a team which likes to attack man-to-man, with quick transitions, so it will be a difficult match, but we have the confidence to say we want to win.”
Slavia boss Jindrich Trpisovsky is determined his players will make the most of another opportunity against one of Europe’s heavyweights.
“When someone plays well at any level, they say ‘you play like Barcelona’, so that in itself shows how huge a giant they are,” Trpisovsky said.
“Against an opponent like this, you have to play at your best and avoid mistakes because they will punish you, so you have to give 100 per cent and press constantly.”
