Three key talking points as Barcelona prepare for crucial Eintracht Frankfurt clash

FC Barcelona are set to face Eintracht Frankfurt in a League Phase game in the UEFA Champions League later tonight. The Catalan club needs to win all their remaining games and hope other results go their way to secure a top-eight finish.

It has not been a great Champions League run for Hansi Flick’s team so far this season. They have lost to PSG and Chelsea and also dropped points to Club Brugge in a thrilling 3–3 draw .

Tonight, they face Frankfurt, a team that beat them 3–2 in 2022 in the Europa League in controversial circumstances. Flick will be keen to ensure his team gets the three points and carries over their good league form.

With all this in mind, here are three key talking points as FC Barcelona prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt at the Spotify Camp Nou in the Champions League.

It has been a while since the Spotify Camp Nou witnessed a Champions League night. Barcelona returned to the stadium for the La Liga game against Athletic Club a few weeks ago and will now see continental football return to their iconic home.

The last time Frankfurt visited in 2022, they transformed the Camp Nou into a white wall by illegally purchasing tickets from Barcelona club members and season-ticket holders.

Barcelona will be hoping for a better atmosphere on this occasion as fans look to recreate the aura that once made the Camp Nou one of the most difficult grounds for visiting teams in the Champions League.

There would be nothing better than Hansi Flick’s team marking this return with a win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Based on their league form, they seem to be in good shape; let us see whether they can keep the momentum going.

One of Hansi Flick’s decisions for the game against Real Betis at La Cartuja last weekend was to start Lamine Yamal as an attacking midfielder in the absence of Dani Olmo and with Fermín López not ready to start.

This created a vacancy on the right that Roony Bardghji filled, and the duo excelled. The Betis game was undoubtedly the Swede’s breakout in a Barcelona shirt, and it was brilliant to watch them play in tandem.

While Fermín will be available to start against Frankfurt, Flick should try to build on what the team showcased at the weekend and give Lamine the chance to play as an attacking midfielder and Roony as the right winger again.

If it does not work, Barcelona can always revert at half-time. Let us see how the German manager selects his starting XI tonight.

Gerard Martin, the centre-back, fondly known as Gerard Maldini due to his flawless performances in the new role, is likely to retain his place alongside Pau Cubarsí against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Since first playing there against Athletic Club a few weeks ago, the Spaniard has not put a foot wrong. He has looked like the second coming of Iñigo Martínez and already appeared at home against a big team like Atlético Madrid.

The game against Frankfurt might be Martin’s first test in the Champions League. The German club has adept attackers who can cause problems, and the Spaniard needs to be on top of his game to avoid mishaps.

If Gerard Martin can emerge from yet another test with flying colours, he might become Flick’s first-choice central defender alongside Pau Cubarsí . Let us wait and see how things play out.