Flick Announces Barcelona Squad for Newcastle Champions League Clash, Four Players Absent

T.E (Elbotola)

08 March 2026at16:43

German coach Hansi Flick, manager of Barcelona, has announced his squad for the upcoming Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash against hosts Newcastle. The highly anticipated match is scheduled for Tuesday at 20:00 GMT.

The Catalan club will be without four key players due to injury for this crucial encounter: Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, Spanish left-back Alex Balde, Danish defender Andreas Christensen, and French right-back Jules Kounde.

Conversely, the squad list includes midfielder Gavi, despite him not having fully recovered from his injury and lacking the necessary medical clearance to return to competitive play.

The full Barcelona squad for the European fixture includes the following players: Juan Garcia, Szczesny, Cochin, Cancelo, Araujo, Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Eric Garcia, Cortes, Xavi Espart, Gavi, Pedri, Fermin, Casado, Olmo, Bernal, Tommy, Ferran Torres, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Rashford, and Roony Bardghji.

Q&A

What is the Barcelona squad announcement for the Champions League match?

Hansi Flick has revealed Barcelona's squad for the upcoming Champions League Round of 16 first-leg against Newcastle. The team will be missing several key players due to injury, impacting their defensive and midfield options for the crucial away fixture.

How do the player absences affect Barcelona's Champions League clash against Newcastle?

Barcelona will face Newcastle without four crucial players, including key defenders and a central midfielder. These absences significantly weaken the team's depth and tactical flexibility, potentially forcing Flick to adjust his starting lineup and formation for the challenging away game.

Why was Gavi included in Barcelona's Champions League squad despite his injury?

Midfielder Gavi has been named in Barcelona's Champions League squad for the Newcastle match, even though he has not fully recovered from his injury. His inclusion suggests a potential psychological boost or a long-term strategy, despite lacking medical clearance for competitive play.

FC Barcelona

UEFA Champions League

Jules Koundé

Spanish La Liga