By 90min | Created at 2025-01-29 05:45:36 | Updated at 2025-01-30 08:30:20
1 day ago
Barcelona finish their Champions League league phase campaign with a visit from last season's Europa League winners Atalanta.
La Blaugrana secured their place in the last 16 of the competition last week thanks to their controversial 5-4 victory over Benfica. Raphinha's stoppage-time winner made it six wins from seven for Hansi Flick's men in Europe and such a strong performance during the league phase allows the German to rotate his squad on Wednesday.
Atalanta are certain of their place in the knockout phase but have not guaranteed automatic passage to the last 16. While a draw in Catalonia could be enough to finish in the top eight, La Dea realistically need to beat Barcelona to guarantee they finish ahead of their competitors.
Here is 90min's guide to an intriguing European clash.
Barcelona vs Atalanta head-to-head record
This is the first competitive fixture between Barcelona and Atalanta.
Current form (all competitions)
Barcelona 7-1 Valencia - 26/01/25 | Como 1-2 Atalanta - 25/01/25 |
Benfica 4-5 Barcelona - 21/01/25 | Atalanta 5-0 Sturm Graz - 21/01/25 |
Getafe 1-1 Barcelona - 18/01/25 | Atalanta 2-3 Napoli - 18/01/25 |
Barcelona 5-1 Real Betis - 15/01/25 | Atalanta 1-1 Juventus - 14/01/25 |
Real Madrid 2-5 Barcelona - 12/01/25 | Udinese 0-0 Atalanta - 11/01/25 |
How to watch Barcelona vs Atalanta on TV - UK and US
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 10, discovery+, discovery+ App |
United States | Paramount+, ViX |
Canada | DAZN Canada |
Dani Olmo is still missing for Barca / Denis Doyle/GettyImages
Long-term casualties Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are missing for Barcelona, with Spanish duo Dani Olmo and Inigo Martinez both absent with foot and thigh injuries respectively. Pedri should recover from illness to feature.
Flick has the luxury of resting first-teamers on Wednesday evening but already took the opportunity to rotate during the weekend's 7-1 demolition of Valencia. Robert Lewandowski, Gavi and Ronald Araujo were all benched at the weekend.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Atalanta
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Atalanta (4-3-3): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, Casado, Gavi; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
Gian Piero Gasperini will be keen to out-think Hansi Flick / Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages
Atalanta have been rocked by an injury to last season's Europa League final hat-trick hero Ademola Lookman. He is set to spend a few weeks on the sidelines, joining Gianluca Scamacca and Odilon Kossounou.
Marten de Roon is a doubt to feature after suffering a head injury against Como at the weekend, while centre-back Isak Hien will return to the XI to help stifle Lewandowski after missing the weekend's clash due to suspension.
Atalanta predicted lineup vs Barcelona
Atalanta predicted lineup vs Barcelona (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Scalvini; Bellanova, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri; Samardzic; Retegui, De Ketelaere.
Barcelona's nine-goal thriller with Benfica epitomised everything wonderful and woeful about the Catalan giants. Their defensive errors and ludicrously high line caused chaos, while their attacking talent and ingenuity frequently carved open the opposition defence.
It could be a similarly high-scoring encounter on Wednesday evening as Barca welcome the free-flowing Atalanta to Catalonia. The Italians are the second highest scorers in Serie A and the third highest in the Champions League, but have struggled with their own defensive issues under Gian Piero Gasperini.
If Flick goes strong with his team selection, Barcelona should edge what promises to be an exciting affair.
