Barcelona will welcome Copenhagen to the Camp Nou on Wednesday night (21:00 CEST), knowing that only a win will not be enough for them to finish in the top 8 of the Champions League, and by proxy, a bye in the Round of 16. Their Danish rivals are also in a situation of need – lying two places without qualifying for the play-off round by a goal.
Hansi Flick is without Pedri, Gavi and Andreas Christensen due to injury, but the good news is that Ferran Torres is back after a hamstring injury. The Blaugrana responded to Real Sociedad’s 4-2 defeat to Slavia Prague and a 3-0 win over Real Oviedo last week. The Danish league is in its first season, which means Copenhagen’s last home game was on December 13 (a 2-0 win over Esbjerg), but they drew 1-1 with Napoli last week. Jacob Neestrup is without midfielder Thomas Delaney through suspension, while Andreas Cornelius, Rodrigo Huescas and Magnus Mattsson are all injured.
🚨 FC Barcelona has decided not to make a bid for Levante striker Etta Eyong. His release clause is 30 million euros, and Barça know that clubs from the Premier League are ready to approach this figure. [@sport] 🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/FoU2JMcth4
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) January 28, 2026
No Pedri, maybe Ronald Araujo?
Barcelona have been approached by MD to start with a strong line-up, but they suggest that Ronald Araujo could start alongside Pau Cubarsi for the first time since his departure. The Uruguayan has responded well to being recalled, and is now captain of the first team following the exit of Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Although Torres is back, Robert Lewandowski is expected to continue.
#FCBarcelona know that winning is important to have a chance to qualify for the top 8 of the #ChampionsLeague this evening.
MD predicts a strong team to face Copenhagen, despite Pedri’s injury. Ronald Araujo may return to the starting XI. pic.twitter.com/HEdVARURkc
— Football España (@footballespana_) January 28, 2026
In midfield, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo are predicted to start alongside Fermin Lopez by Sport and MD. The former expects it to be Martin rather than Araujo who starts the game.
How will Copenhagen be set up?
There is uncertainty about how Neestrup will attack, and Copenhagen also need a win. Jordan Larsson, son of former Barcelona player Henrik Larsson, and Mohamed Elyounoussi are both expected to start up front. The question is over Youssoufa Moukoko, who could be a pacy front two.
Barcelona is equal on 13 points with eight other teams, and must improve or match the results of the five teams below them, knowing that one of Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United will drop points against each other. They can still surpass Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool or Real Madrid. Copenhagen must be better than the results of Napoli, Olympiakos, Athletic Club, PSV Eindhoven, AS Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen, Olympique Marseille, Qarabag and Galatasaray, knowing that Club Brugge, Bodo/Glimt, Benfica, Pafos, Union St. Gilloise and Ajax are all still ahead of them.
