Barcelona v Frankfurt: Line-ups, stats and preview

Barcelona v Frankfurt preview

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick wants his team to “show our best” when they play their first European match since October 2022 at the Camp Nou following the renovation of the iconic stadium.

“It was a dream come true for everyone to return,” said Flick, calling the visit of Eintracht Frankfurt “an important day”.

“It will be important in the Champions League as well. Eintracht are a great team – young, with fast players. They know how to adapt to various systems. We have to play at our highest level.”

Frankfurt lost 6-0 at Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday as part of a three-match winless run. “Their last game wasn’t good,” said Flick, who won three of his four games against Frankfurt during his time in charge of Bayern Munich. “But I know they can be dangerous.”

Visiting manager Dino Toppmoller called Barca midfielder Pedri “extraordinary”. “I don’t think we need to talk about individual players at Barca, because every player in their position has extraordinary qualities,” he added.

“Pedri is one of the most fantastic midfielders in the world, as is Lamine Yamal. These players need to be defended against collectively.

“It’s about helping each other. Against teams with great attacking potential, it will be very difficult because we won’t be able to defend one-on-one and we’ll need mutual support.”

With three matches of the league phase remaining, La Liga leaders Barcelona are a point above the Champions League automatic elimination places and three off the top eight, which would ensure direct passage to the last 16.

Frankfurt are three points behind them, meaning the seventh-placed team in the Bundesliga are two points shy of a play-off place.

Barcelona v Eintracht Frankfurt team news

Defender Ronald Araujo is suspended for Barcelona. Gavi is out with a knee issue, as is fellow midfielder Dani Olmo with a shoulder problem.

Midfielders Mark Casado, Frenkie de Jong, Fermín Lopez and Lamine Yamal will miss the trip to Slavia Prague on September 21 if they are booked.

Frankfurt are missing forward Jonathan Burkardt with a calf injury, while forward Michy Batshuayi is a doubt with a muscular concern.

Barcelona v Frankfurt predicted starting lineups

Barcelona starting XI: Joan Garcia; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Alejandro Balde; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres; Robert Lewandowski

Frankfurt starting XI: Michael Zetterer; Rasmus Kristensen, Nnamdi Collins, Robin Koch, Arthur Theate, Nathaniel Brown; Fares Chaibi, Mahmoud Dahoud, Mario Gotze; Ansgar Knauff, Jean-Matteo Bahoya

How to watch Barca v Frankfurt: TV channel, live online stream

Kick-off on Tuesday is at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on TNT Sports 4 and the Discovery Plus app.

TNT Sports costs £29.99 a month through discovery+, which includes Eurosport and entertainment and is available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.

Barcelona v Eintracht Frankfurt stats

• The only previous meetings between these sides came in the 2021/22 Europa League quarter-finals, Frankfurt drawing 1-1 at home before winning 3-2 to advance
• All three of Flick’s wins against Frankfurt came at home – by an aggregate of 12-3 – but the German suffered a 2-1 away defeat in his most recent meeting with them in February 2021
• Barcelona have won 16 of their last 20 European matches at home against German sides (L4)
• They have won two of their last eight Champions League matches (D2 L4)
• Robert Lewandowski scored 16 goals in 24 appearances against Frankfurt across all competitions during his time with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern
• Frankfurt have won four of their six European away fixtures against Spanish opposition (D1 L1)
• Their only defeat came on Matchday 2 of this season’s Champions League, losing 5-1 at Atleti
• The German side are winless in four European matches and have one victory in their last seven such games
• Only eight players in this season’s competition have attempted more clearances than Frankfurt’s Arthur Theate (26)
• No player has made more punches (5) than Frankfurt goalkeeper Michael Zetterer

Barcelona v Frankfurt prediction

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