Barcelona resume UEFA Champions League duties on Tuesday as they host Olympiacos in one of the early kickoffs.
The Catalans battled to a 2-1 derby win on Saturday over Girona thanks to Ronald Araujo's 93rd-minute goal. The result was something of a relief to Hansi Flick after back-to-back losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla prior to the October international break.
Barca won their Champions League opener at Newcastle United before that defeat to the holders, so the visit of the Greek Super League's dominant force offers them a chance to move back towards the higher positions in the league-phase standings. Only the top eight sides at the end of this initial stage are guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds.
With El Clasico looming on October 26, Flick must ensure he manages the minutes of his available key players carefully. Barca's injury list is already quite long, and any further losses before next Sunday could make the task against Real Madrid particularly daunting.
Have a look at out full preview of the clash between the Spanish and Greek champions here.
MORE: El Clasico: History of rivalry and all-time head-to-head between Barcelona and Real Madrid
Barcelona vs. Olympiacos lineups: Confirmed starting XI, team news, injury latest
Flick will need to strike a balance in his selection given they had only two full days of rest after the win over Girona and face the small matter of El Clasico at the weekend.
The big call sees 17-year-old Dro Fernandez handed a start in attack. With Ferran Torres to be given additional time to recover from a muscle issue so he is ready for Real Madrid, Marcus Rashford looks likely to be pushed up into the No. 9 role, with Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez in support.
Wojciech Szczesny keeps his place in goal as Joan Garcia is not expected back until November. Ronald Araujo is on the bench again despite his match-winning cameo against Girona.
Pedri partners Marc Casado in central midfield, with Frenkie de Jong the man chosen to be given a rest. He starts on the bench.
****Barcelona starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left):****Szczesny (GK) — Kounde, E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Balde — Pedri, Casado — Lamine Yamal, Lopez, D. Fernandez — Rashford
Barcelona subs: Kochen, Aller, Araujo, Tores, Martin, De Jong, Bernal, Torrents, Bardghji, T. Fernandez, Hernandez, Espart
Injured: J. Garcia (knee), Gavi (knee), Lewandowski (hamstring), Olmo (calf), Raphinha (hamstring), Ter Stegen (back), Torres (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Olympiacos are without the experienced full-back Rodinei, but they otherwise have a strong travelling squad, having come through the weekend win over largely unscathed.
Brazilian winger Gabriel Strefezza has missed his side's past two league games with a niggling injury, and he is fit enough only for the bench here.
As predicted, Gelson Martins gets the nod over Yusuf Yazici in attack after being rested at the weekend. The experienced Dani Garcia is preferred in central midfield to 20-year-old Lorenzo Scipioni.
****Olympiacos starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left):****Tzolakis (GK) — Costinha, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega — Hezze, Dani Garcia — Gelson Martins, Chiquinho, Podence — El Kaabi
Olympiacos subs: Paschalakis, Kouraklis, Biancone, Kalogeropoulos, Diogo Nascimento, Yaremchuk, Scipioni, Strefezza, Onyemaechi, Pnevmonidis, Mouzakitis, Taremi
Injured: Rodinei (calf)
Suspended: None
Barcelona vs. Olympiacos match details
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Kickoff time: 6:45 p.m. local / 5:45 p.m. BST
Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona (Spain)
Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase: Matchday 3
Referee: Urs Schnyder (SUI)
VAR: Fedayi San (SUI)
Latest Barcelona news