Overview
Slavia Prague has not played any official matches for more than a month due to a temporary suspension of the domestic league. The last time this team played in a non-friendly match was a dramatic 4-3 victory over Jablonec in the national championship on December 13, 2025.
Since then, the red and white team has only played friendly matches with Basel, Karlsruher and Brann. The preparation process for the reception of Barcelona is therefore not really ideal, in the context that the Champions League this season is becoming a difficult journey for coach Jindrich Trpisovsky and his team.
After six group stage matches, Slavia Prague has not won any. They drew 3 and lost 3, with only 3 points, ranked 33rd in the rankings. The 4-point gap compared to the play-off group makes the upcoming match life-and-death for the Czech Republic representative.
In the most recent round, Slavia Prague lost to Tottenham 0-3 and has only scored 2 goals in the Champions League this season.
Statistics also do not support the home team when Slavia Prague only won 2 out of 16 encounters with Spanish teams in European cups, losing 7 matches. Notably, they once succumbed 1-2 to Barcelona right at home in the Champions League group stage in the 2019-2020 season.
Meanwhile, Barcelona has a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses after six matches, gaining 10 points and temporarily ranked 15th. The Catalan team is only 2 points behind the top 8 leading teams, making the away trip to Prague a mandatory task to win for coach Hansi Flick and his team.
Barca will close the group stage with a reception of Copenhagen on January 28, and 2 consecutive victories could help them win the right to advance straight to the round of 16.
However, Flick's team entered this match with no less worry after the 1-2 defeat to Real Sociedad in La Liga last weekend. The gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the rankings is currently only exactly one point.
However, history is on the side of the away team. Barcelona is unbeaten in the last eight encounters with representatives of the Czech Republic, including 7 wins. However, their away form in the Champions League is causing much concern when they have only won 1 in the last 5 matches, losing 3 times.
The problems in the defense continue to be a major weakness of Barca this season. This is a factor that may make the dream of going deep in the European arena become fragile, despite the superior attacking power.
Personnel situation
Slavia Prague currently has no further concerns about injury or suspension before welcoming Barcelona.
Matous Srb and Dominik Javorcek are still absent for a long time, but overall the home team's force is in a fairly stable state. In attack, Mojmir Chytil - the striker who has scored 8 goals after 22 appearances this season - is likely to be given a starting spot.
In the opposite direction, Barcelona will not have the service of Lamine Yamal due to suspension after receiving his fourth yellow card in the Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Gavi and Andreas Christensen continue to be absent due to knee injuries. Meanwhile, Raphinha's ability to play is still uncertain, as the Brazilian player missed the match against Real Sociedad in La Liga due to a thigh muscle problem.
Marcus Rashford is likely to be arranged to play left-handed in Barcelona's attack. If he recovers in time, Raphinha can be used in the right-handed role according to Flick's rotation plan.
Expected lineup:
Slavia Prague: Stanek, Holes, Chaloupek, Ogbu, Zima, Doudera, Moses, Provod, Sadilek, Sanyang, Chytil.
J. Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, E. Garcia, Balde, Pedri, De Jong, Fermin, Raphinha, Rashford, F. Torres.
The match between Slavia Prague and Barcelona takes place at 3:00 AM on January 22 (Vietnam time).
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