It’s as simple as it is stark: win in Prague or face the abyss. Barcelona’s chaotic Champions League campaign boils down to a crucial 90 minutes in the Czech capital tonight, with Hansi Flick’s injury ravaged side knowing nothing less than three points will keep their faint hopes of a top eight finish alive.
The Blaugrana sit a precarious 15th in the expanded league phase on 10 points, needing a victory against bottom side Slavia Prague to have any chance of avoiding the dreaded playoff path. This follows a weekend that summed up their season, a mad 3-2 defeat to Real Sociedad filled with defensive errors and controversy. The spirit of that post Chelsea 11 game win streak feels a distant memory.
Flick is down to the bare bones. He’ll be without Marc André ter Stegen, João Cancelo, and the suspended Andreas Christensen at the back. The attacking cupboard is just as bare, with Ferran Torres and the teen sensation Lamine Yamal also missing. “We have to adapt, to fight,” Flick said tersely in his presser. “Every player must give more. This is about our pride now.”
On paper, it’s a merciful fixture. Slavia are rooted to the foot of the table with just three points, having failed to win a single game. Their only two goals came on the opening night. But they’ve proven stubborn, grinding out 0-0 draws against Atalanta and Athletic Club. Flick warned of their “organised press” and “strong defensive block,” but the unspoken truth is that a fully functioning Barça should sweep them aside.
Yet this Barça side has been anything but convincing in Europe. Their sole impressive win was against Newcastle months ago. The 6-1 over Olympiacos was flattering, and even a 2-1 home win over Frankfurt required two centre back goals. The fluid, dominant football that brought a domestic treble has gone missing on the continent. “We must translate our league form to Europe, starting now,” admitted veteran striker Robert Lewandowski. “There are no more excuses.”
For Slavia, it’s a free hit at a wounded giant. Manager Jindřich Trpišovsky will likely set up a deep, compact 4-2-3-1, looking to exploit Barcelona’s makeshift defence on the counter, especially with the pace of Musa Doudera, if he recovers from a doubt. “We respect them, but we are not afraid,” said captain Tomáš Holeš. “This is our stadium, our chance.”
The broader picture is bleak for Barcelona. Even with two wins, their fate depends on other results. But a slip tonight makes next week’s finale against Copenhagen irrelevant for the top eight race. It would mean a February playoff against another group runner up, a risky extra hurdle they desperately wanted to avoid.
It’s time to show some mettle. A patched up Barça, led by the experience of Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong, have to find a way. Prediction? The nerves will show, but the quality should tell in the end. Slavia Prague 0-2 Barcelona. Anything less, and the inquest begins.
