Barcelona open their 2026-27 Champions League campaign Wednesday against Feyenoord at the Olympic Stadium, beginning another attempt to reclaim the European crown they last won more than a decade ago.
Hansi Flick's side have made a perfect start to the domestic season, winning their first four La Liga matches against Elche, Athletic Bilbao, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia while scoring 17 goals.
They enter the Champions League opener at the top of the Spanish league and with confidence building around a team that has made no secret of its ambitions in Europe.
Barcelona's fifth and most recent European Cup triumph came in 2015, when they beat Juventus in the final. Their wait for another title has since grown longer, with the Catalan club suffering a quarterfinal exit to Atletico Madrid last season after reaching the semifinals the year before.
The defensive problems that contributed to their 2024-25 semifinal elimination remain one of the biggest questions surrounding Barcelona. Their attacking quality, however, is difficult to overlook, and Flick has several players competing for starting places as he looks to give his team the strongest possible start to their European campaign.
Barcelona and Feyenoord have met only twice, with both encounters coming in the last 16 of the 1974-75 European Cup. Barcelona won 3-0 on aggregate.
Feyenoord arrive in Spain knowing they face one of the toughest assignments in the opening round, but their early-season form offers some encouragement.
The Dutch side have gone unbeaten through their first five matches, winning three, and head into Wednesday's game after a 3-1 victory over Nijmegen. They have also not lost in any competition, including friendlies, since the start of March.
Feyenoord have their own history of success in Europe's premier club competition. They became the first Dutch club to win the European Cup in 1970, beating Celtic 2-1 in the final. Ove Kindvall scored the winning goal in extra time, while Ruud Geels and Kindvall were among Feyenoord's leading scorers during their memorable run.
Their recent European record has been less impressive. Feyenoord failed to advance from the Europa League league phase last season after also falling in the Champions League third qualifying round. Their most recent appearance in the Champions League league stage came in 2024-25, when they advanced to the round of 16 before Inter Milan eliminated them 4-1 on aggregate.
Barcelona will be without Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji, both sidelined with knee injuries, while Eric Garcia is suspended.
Jesse Bisiwu is a doubt after suffering a contusion, although his return to training gives Flick some hope of having him available.
Flick also faces several selection decisions because of the depth and form within his squad. Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi are among those pushing for starting roles, although all three could begin on the bench.
Garcia's suspension is expected to give Jules Kounde an opportunity at right-back. Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon and Fermin Lopez could also operate behind Raphinha as Barcelona look to use their attacking depth to put Feyenoord under pressure.
Feyenoord have several absentees of their own. Thomas Beelen is out with a broken leg, while Bart Nieuwkoop, Gjis Smal, Jakub Moder and Jordan Bos are also unavailable because of injuries.
One of their biggest threats will be Gjivai Zechiel, who has made an impressive start to the season with four goals and three assists in five appearances. He is expected to retain his place in central midfield.
Luciano Valente has also contributed three goals in five appearances and is in contention to start, while Nacho Ferri could lead the attack.
Shaqueel van Persie, the son of former Netherlands and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, is expected to begin among the substitutes.
