Barça on a Yellow Line: Four Players Teeter as Prague Clash Looms

Match Preview

Barcelona travel to face Slavia Prague on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, aiming to grab a win and keep their chances of finishing the group stage among the top eight. The match is pivotal for both sides, with Barcelona seeking momentum and a clearer route to the knockout rounds.

However, coach Hans Flick will be mindful of yellow cards when selecting the starting XI, so his stars can still play the final group game against Copenhagen. A single caution could complicate plans for the Copenhagen trip, and the coach will be weighing this factor as he builds a competitive yet cautious lineup.

According to Mundo Deportivo, alongside injuries to Ferran Torres, Gavi, and Andreas Christensen, and Lamine Yamal's suspension, four Barça players remain at risk of an automatic ban if they pick up another booking: Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Gerard Martin, and Marc Casado.

The article also notes that De Jong and Lopez are expected to start, so both must guard against unnecessary cautions to avoid missing the Prague clash. Their inclusion would be a vote of confidence from the manager, but it also carries the burden of discipline late in the campaign.

Suspension Watch

Spanish papers suggest Jules Koundé, Dani Olmo, and Aleix Baldé each carry a single yellow; another card today would push them into suspension risk in Europe. That would complicate Barca's rotation as they head into a crucial final group game.

Barça are currently 15th in the Champions League standings with 10 points, and every booking could have consequences in the race to the knockout rounds.

Standings and Stakes

Barça currently sit 15th in the group standings with 10 points, with Copenhagen looming as the final hurdle in the schedule.

Punchline 1: Barca's yellow-card policy is so strict that even their coffee comes with a caution label.

Punchline 2: If discipline were a weapon, Barça would already be the master marksman, firing warnings instead of shots—trust me, the bullets are yellow.