Hansi Flick’s Barcelona will look to make it seven wins in a row in the Champions League when they host Atalanta on Wednesday.
7th-placed Atalanta who are looking to secure an automatic qualification to the round of 16 will hit the road to square up against Barcelona on the final matchday. The Catalan giants have already sealed a top-eight finish but they still have an outside chance of claiming the top spot.
Barcelona are second in the UCL table with 18 points in their seven outings. They are three points behind Liverpool who have won all their fixtures. While Hansi Flick’s men have been inconsistent in La Liga, they have won all their European games apart from the one on matchday 1.
They will be looking to keep their unbeaten run in 2025 intact when they host Atalanta. Meanwhile, the visitors are currently 7th with 14 points in their seven outings. A win will ensure a top-eight finish but things could be tricky if they fail to secure all three points.
While Atalanta will be in the knockout phase no matter what, they would ideally want a direct entry into the round of 16. Since they only have a points lead over 9th-place Aston Villa, the Italian outfit are desperate for a positive result. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
The Catalan giants will remain without the services of Inigo Martinez, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Marc Bernal. Meanwhile, Dani Olmo is unlikely to return in time for this one. They do have a boost as Pedri has recovered from an Illness and should be involved here.
Hansi Flick will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny should continue in goal for a third straight game. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will feature as the full-backs while Pau Cubarsi will partner Eric García in central defence.
In the centre of the park, Marc Casado should partner with Pedri. They will form the double pivot in front of the backline and will look to control the tempo of the game.
Gavi should return to the number ten role while Lamine Yamal and Raphinha should feature on the flanks. Robert Lewandowski will return to the starting XI and lead the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Garcia, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Atalanta BC
Gian Piero Gasperini will be without the services of Odilon Kossounou and Gianluca Scamacca. Meanwhile, Marten de Roon’s availability will assessed after he was taken off in their games against Como following a clash of heads.
Isak Hien will return to the mix after serving a suspension in their last outing.
The visitors will line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, where Marco Carnesecchi will be in goal. The back three will consist of Giorgio Scalvini, Berat Djimsiti and Hien. They will look to keep things tight at the back and will receive significant support from Matteo Ruggeri and Davide Zappacosta who will feature as wing-backs.
Ederson will partner Mario Pašalić in the centre of the park. The duo will have a lot of defensive duties as they will look to keep one of the best attacks in Europe quiet.
Lazar Samardžić will take up the attacking midfielder’s role while Mateo Retegui will partner Ademola Lookman in the final third.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Scalvini; Ruggeri, Ederson, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Samardzic; Retegui, Lookman
Key Stats
- This is all set to be the first meeting between Atalanta and Barcelona in the Champions League.
- The Blaugrana are unbeaten in 2025 with six wins and a draw in their seven competitive matches.
- Atalanta have failed to win any of their last five Champions League games against Spanish teams (1 draw, 4 defeats).
- Barcelona have won their last three European home games with a combined scoreline of 12-1.
- The Italian outfit have secured all three points in their last three away games in the Champions League with a combined scoreline of 11-1.
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski will return to the starting XI for this fixture. Having scored 29 goals in his 30 outings, he will be eager to add to his tally. Given the kind of form he has been in, the 36-year-old will surely have made a big impact on the end result.
Prediction
Barcelona 3-0 Atalanta
Barcelona have been on a roll in the UEFA Champions League and they will be looking for their seventh straight win of the league phase. While Atalanta have a lot to play for and will give it their all for a positive result, La Deal will struggle to take down the Catalan giants who have been unbeaten in 2025. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for the Spanish giants.
