Barcelona travel to Istanbul for Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Galatasaray carrying a near-full squad, but without Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong as Hansi Flick manages injuries across a demanding European week.
Four absences from the Istanbul party
Raphinha and De Jong have remained in Barcelona, as Flick indicated on Friday. Both could be cleared in time for Saturday’s domestic fixture against Betis, while Andreas Christensen and Roony Bardghji are also unavailable through injury.
The remaining first-team options have been included in a 22-man group for the second matchday of the Champions League.
- Joan García, Szczesny and Livakovic are the goalkeepers selected.
- The defensive contingent includes Koundé, Eric, Pau Cubarsí, Cancelo, Balde, Gerard, Espart and Fariñas.
- Gavi, Pedri, Olmo, Bernal, Rodri and Fermín form the midfield group.
- Lamine Yamal, Gabriel, Gordon, Adeyemi and Hamza are the attacking options.
Fresh legs for a significant European night
Cubarsí did not play in the weekend win over Getafe and is expected to return to the starting side in Istanbul. The young defender approaches the trip with the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the world’s leading young player, also on the horizon.
Pedri was among the substitutes against Getafe, while Fermín has been one of Barcelona’s standout performers in the opening weeks of the campaign. Both are in contention to join Rodri in midfield, with the latter set to provide the central control for Flick’s side.
Attack led by Yamal and Gabriel
Lamine Yamal’s inclusion gives Barcelona a major attacking reference point for the trip to Turkey. Gabriel Jesus could again lead the line after scoring his third goal for the club on Saturday.
The left-sided role remains open, with Adeyemi and Gordon competing for a place as Barcelona seek to turn squad depth into an early Champions League statement in Istanbul.
