Surprise Return Lights Up Barça’s Champions League Night Against Olympiakos
21 October 2025
Torres Back, Christensen Out as Barça Prep for Olympiakos
Barcelona coach Hans Flick received a welcome boost ahead of the Champions League clash with Olympiakos on Tuesday, as Ferran Torres was given medical clearance to feature. Torres had not trained with the group in the final session, making his return a surprise for the coaching staff.
In contrast, Denmark defender Andreas Christensen will miss the encounter due to illness, prolonging his absence as Flick seeks to rely on the squad’s best available options for the European test against the Greek side.
Youth Call-Ups and the Full Barcelona Lineup
As usual, Flick included a few youngsters from the reserves to complete the matchday squad, inviting Pedro Fernandez Dro, Antonio Fernandez, and Juan Hernandez to join the first team and take part in the third group-stage game of the Champions League.
The official Barca squad for Olympiakos features a mix of first-team regulars and emerging talents, highlighting the club’s plan to balance experience with youth.
Barcelona’s Distance Metrics and Flick’s Approach
Statistics published by the Spanish league indicate Barca is facing a worrying dip in physical output under Flick, with the team recording lower running distances and high-speed meters this season compared with 2024-25.
Last season Barca ranked among the league’s most active sides, finishing fifth with an average of 117,429 meters per match, above the league average of 115,572. This season, through the first eight fixtures, they’ve dropped to around 113,444 meters per game, below the overall average of 115,091, signaling a drop in intensity and endurance.
The gap to rivals is stark: Atletico Madrid leads with over 120 kilometers per game, while others like Espanyol, Elche, and Celta Vigo also push beyond 117,000 meters. Barca sit in a lower tier alongside Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, and Valencia, while Real Madrid sit last for the second year running at 110,626 meters, despite their vertical approach masking some of the deficit.
Flick’s Explanations and Tactical Reflections
Flick has acknowledged the need to alter his approach after a red card against Girona on Saturday for repeated protests and a crude gesture with his hand following defender Ronald Araujo’s last-second winner.
Ahead of Olympiakos, he said: "I am not emotional, but sometimes my feelings aren't what they used to be." He added: "I love Barcelona and give everything; when I watch myself on screen I don’t like what I do, and I don't want my grandkids to see their granddad behave this way, so I need to change."
He also outlined the defensive challenges: "When we analyze the Girona game, one thing I keep repeating is the importance of compact positioning. We must find the right balance between players; if we stay too far apart, the opponent gains time and space to move."
"Finding the right distances is crucial; if we are too spread out, we invite the opponent to feel comfortable and press us into a slower game," Flick explained, underscoring the broader tactical task ahead of a demanding European fixture against Olympiakos.
