FC Barcelona Versus Bayern Munich Line Up: Flick Has A Surprise

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make one big change to his line up when the Catalans host ... [+] Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make one big change to his line up when the Catalans host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Bavarians have repeatedly been described as an "ogre" for Barca in Europe by the local press, and it was Flick who of course oversaw its darkest night on the continent back in 2020.

That came in Lisbon, when thanks to Covid the UCL's knockout phase had to be restructured to one-and-out matches as opposed to two-legged affairs.

In the quarterfinals, Flick's Bayern dismantled a Barca led by Lionel Messi 8-2 at the Estadio da Luz, and then went on to lift the big-eared trophy which completed an impressive treble.

There have been a few group phase meetings since which Bayern have routinely come out on top. Yet for Flick, however, the past is in the past and there are new chapters to be written.

"We prepare for each game by analyzing the opponent. But it's clear that it's a special match, I played there, I trained there... I have many acquaintances and I have a relationship with some people there," Flick noted.

"But I'm in another chapter of my life, and I'm happy here. I have very good feelings. We want to be prepared. We analyse the opponent, like everyone else, although I know Bayern better. It will be a complicated match. It's the Champions League. It will be a good match," Flick added.

Currently top of La Liga just four days out from El Clasico against title rivals Real Madrid, Barca is on a high after recently thrashing Sevilla 5-1 at the same Montjuic Stadium ground which receives Bayern.

Flick will hardly make any changes compared to the side that saw off the Andalusians, with Fermin Lopez coming into the midfield to partner Pedri in front of Marc Casado as Ansu Fati is dropped.

Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal are the front three from left to right, and will look to trouble Manuel Neuer.

Back in defense, Inaki Pena is protected by Alejandro Balde, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde, who are charged with trying to keep the likes of Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala under wraps.

FC Barcelona Vs. Bayern Munich First XI: Pena; Balde, Inigo, Cubarsi, Kounde; Casado, Pedri, Fermin; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine