Flick reshuffles Barcelona for Galatasaray clash, with striker choice uncertain

Hans Flick has made numerous changes to Barcelona’s team for Tuesday evening’s match away to Galatasaray in the second matchday of the Champions League first round. The lineup has been altered from the previous game against Getafe, and one key question remains in attack: who will play through the middle?

Gabriel Jesus, a starter in the previous match, is on the bench this time, as is Hamza Abdelkarim. Raphinha is unavailable after being injured while with Brazil’s national team during the international break. He had played up front since the start of the season.

The choice of centre-forward is not clear. Anthony Gordon and Lamine Yamal are among the attacking options, alongside Dani Olmo and Fermín López. Flick could use a fluid front four without a fixed position, allowing the attackers to interchange across the forward line.

There are changes elsewhere, too. João Cancelo starts at left-back and Pau Cubarsí is in the starting side. Eric Garcia takes the right side of defence after playing at centre-back against Getafe. Jules Koundé, who started that previous match, is now on the bench. In midfield, Pedri starts after beginning the previous game as a substitute, while Gavi is among the replacements.

Barcelona come into the fixture after a 5-1 home win over Feyenoord, while Galatasaray lost 3-1 to Sporting Lisbon.