FC Barcelona Announce 23-Man Squad for Champions League Quarter-Final First Leg Against Atlético Madrid

Barcelona, 8 April — Hansi Flick has finalised a 23-player travelling party for Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg meeting with Atlético Madrid at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, kick-off 21:00 CET.

The German coach’s roster mixes experience with emerging talent. In goal, Wojciech Szczesny is set to vie for the starting gloves alongside Joan Garcia and 17-year-old Diego Kochen. The defensive unit welcomes back Ronald Araujo after the Uruguayan shook off a minor muscle complaint, but Marc Bernal misses out after sustaining a 10-day ankle sprain at the weekend. He joins Raphinha (hamstring), Andreas Christensen (knee) and the still-un-cleared Frenkie de Jong (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Full-back options are plentiful, with João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martín joined by centre-backs Pau Cubarsí, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia and Araujo. Academy products Álvaro Cortés and Xavi Espart provide additional cover.

Midfield sees the return of Pedri and Gavi, flanked by Dani Olmo, Fermín López and Marc Casadó. Teenager Tommy Marqués, freshly promoted from the B squad, rounds out the engine room.

Up front, Robert Lewandowski leads the line, supported by Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal and January loan arrival Marcus Rashford. Swedish prodigy Roony Bardghji, 17, also makes the cut, giving Flick ample firepower against Diego Simeone’s well-drilled Atlético rearguard.

Barça approach the tie in buoyant mood after a sequence of high-scoring displays, though the coaching staff caution that the knockout bracket is finely poised, with Bayern München, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain all considered serious contenders for the continental crown.

The return leg in Madrid is scheduled for next Tuesday, meaning rotation could feature in forthcoming La Liga engagements. For now, all eyes turn to Wednesday’s duel under the Montjuïc lights.

Barcelona predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsí, Martín, Cancelo; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski.