Barcelona go to Galatasaray on Tuesday with Raphinha left out and a perfect start still intact. [Hansi Flick] has also rested Pau Cubarsí, Pedri and Fermín López before the trip to Istanbul, while Barcelona have confirmed their squad without Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Roony Bardghji. The visit comes after a 3-0 win over Getafe and a run of nine straight victories across all competitions.

Flick's selection call

Flick's public line has been about managing the load without losing control of the start. Speaking to barcauniversal.com, he said: "The coaching staff has a clear priority heading into the game: secure six points from the first two matches and strengthen their chances of finishing in the top eight."

That fits the move he has made here. Raphinha will play no part in the Champions League trip to Galatasaray, and Barcelona are keeping several other attackers and midfielders at home rather than pushing them through a crowded schedule. Raphinha has already scored 2 Champions League goals this season, so the absence removes one of the clearest early attacking threats.

Barcelona's form and the Istanbul test

The form is still strong enough to travel with confidence. Barcelona opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 win over Feyenoord and have won 8 league games from 8, while their nine-match winning run across all competitions has kept the pressure on every selection call Flick makes.

Galatasaray lost 3-1 away to Sporting CP in their European opener, but home nights in Istanbul tend to raise the difficulty level quickly. Barcelona have also lost just one of their last six Champions League away games, with three wins and two draws in that run, which is a decent base, not a guarantee. The task on Tuesday is to keep the run going without pretending the squad shortage is minor.

The game is scheduled for 2026-10-13, and Barcelona will need another controlled away performance if they want to stay on course in the Champions League.

FAQ

Why is Hansi Flick resting players before Barcelona's trip to Galatasaray?

Flick has rested key players, including Pau Cubarsí, Pedri and Fermín López, before the trip to Turkey. Barcelona have also confirmed their squad without Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Roony Bardghji. The coaching staff says the priority is to take six points from the first two Champions League matches and strengthen their chance of finishing in the top eight.

Will Barcelona arrive in Istanbul in strong form?

Yes. Barcelona have won nine games in a row across all competitions, beat Getafe 3-0 in their last league match and opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 win over Feyenoord. They also go into the match with 3 points from matchday one.

How important is Raphinha's absence for Barcelona against Galatasaray?

It matters because Raphinha has already scored 2 Champions League goals this season and will play no part in Tuesday's trip to Galatasaray. Barcelona are choosing caution and managing the squad, but they are doing it without one of their early-season attacking sources.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →