Softfootball previews Tuesday’s Champions League showdown between Barcelona and Brest, including predictions, team updates, and potential lineups.
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Barcelona will aim for their fourth Champions League victory this season as they host French side Brest at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Tuesday night.
Hansi Flick’s team currently sits sixth in the Champions League standings with nine points from four games. Meanwhile, Brest, surprisingly strong this season, holds fourth place with 10 points from their first four matches.
Match Preview
Barcelona endured a frustrating 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo in La Liga last Saturday, conceding two late goals.
Despite this, they remain top of the league, leading Atletico Madrid by five points and Real Madrid by seven, though the latter has two games in hand.
In the Champions League, Barcelona opened with a loss to Monaco but have since rebounded strongly, defeating Young Boys, Bayern Munich, and Red Star Belgrade while scoring 14 goals.
Historically, they’ve enjoyed success at home against French clubs, winning nine of 14 encounters, but their overall European home form has been patchy, with just eight wins in their last 19 matches.
Although Barcelona has already stumbled against Ligue 1 opposition this season, Flick’s squad will look to bounce back against a surprisingly competitive Brest side.
For Brest, this Champions League campaign has been a dream debut. The French outfit, one of five newcomers in the tournament, has outperformed expectations with three wins and a draw.
They are just two points behind group leaders Liverpool, who are the only team with a perfect record. Brest has beaten Sturm Graz, Red Bull Salzburg, and Sparta Prague, and held Bayer Leverkusen to a draw.
However, their domestic form tells a different story. With three consecutive Ligue 1 defeats, including a 3-2 loss to Monaco, Brest now sits 12th in the league, 10 points behind third-placed Marseille.
Team News
Barcelona may be without Lamine Yamal, who is battling an ankle issue, while Ronald Araújo, Ansu Fati, Andreas Christensen, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Marc Bernal remain unavailable.
Eric García and Ferran Torres might return to the squad, and Frenkie de Jong and Alejandro Balde could start in place of Gavi and Gerard Martin.
For Brest, Pierre Lees-Melou faces a late fitness test, while Massadio Haidara, Romain Faivre, Soumaila Coulibaly, and Bradley Locko are sidelined.
Abdallah Sima is doubtful, but Ludovic Ajorque is fit and expected to start, bringing three goals and four assists from 15 appearances this season.
Predicted Lineups:
- Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Peña; Koundé, Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, Balde; De Jong, Casado; Olmo, Pedri, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
- Brest (4-3-3): Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Le Cardinal, Amavi; Camara, Lees-Melou, Fernandes; Balde, Ajorque, Doumbia.
Prediction
Brest has defied expectations in their debut Champions League campaign, but facing Barcelona at home will be a significant challenge.
While Brest’s form is admirable, Barcelona is expected to secure a comfortable win.
