The build-up to the Champions League meeting between Barcelona and Chelsea has intensified as both clubs have now officially announced their starting lineups for tonight’s fixture. Scheduled for 21:00 on 25 November 2025, the match is shaping up to be a decisive moment in the group stage, with both sides chasing control and momentum.
Barcelona’s Confirmed XI
Barcelona will take the field with:
Joan Garcia; Balde, Araujo, Cubarsí, Kounde; Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez, Eric Garcia; Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal.
Substitutes: Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, Andreas Christensen, Casado, Martin, Dani Olmo, Bernal, Szczesny, Dro, Roony, Kochen.
Hansi Flick’s selection strikes a balance between youth and reliability. The inclusion of academy talents such as Lamine Yamal and Cubarsí reflects Barcelona’s continued investment in homegrown players, while seasoned figures like Lewandowski, De Jong and Araujo provide experience and composure.
Barcelona come into the match eager to respond after a chaotic 3-3 draw against Club Brugge, a game where defensive vulnerabilities overshadowed their attacking quality. Their last Champions League outing at home was far more convincing, producing a dominant 6-1 victory over Olympiacos. Returning to their own stadium tonight, the team will be focused on delivering a more disciplined performance while maintaining their attacking edge.
Chelsea’s Starting XI Confirmed
Chelsea have also revealed their starting eleven, setting the tone for a high-stakes tactical contest. The London side enter with confidence, and manager Enzo Maresca made his approach clear during his pre-match briefing, stating that Chelsea intend to attack Barcelona and make use of any spaces that open up.
Maresca’s approach suggests an energetic, proactive game plan aimed at disrupting Barcelona’s possession-focused style. With Chelsea fielding a quick, direct frontline supported by a high-intensity midfield, their strategy contrasts sharply with Barcelona’s emphasis on control and structure.
Managerial Outlook
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Maresca’s comments earlier in the day indicated a bold strategy. His statement that Chelsea will go at Barcelona reflects a belief that the Spanish side can be unsettled by pressure, aggression and tempo.
Hansi Flick (Barcelona)
In contrast, Flick offered a calmer assessment, highlighting the importance of discipline, concentration and control in key areas of the pitch. While acknowledging Chelsea’s quality, he stressed that both sides have the talent to change the rhythm of the match at any moment.
Key Storylines
Ronald Araujo’s return to the starting lineup adds strength to Barcelona’s defensive unit, especially against Chelsea’s pace in attack.
Raphinha, named among the substitutes, recently discussed why he chose Barcelona over Chelsea, adding a layer of narrative interest to the night.
Rising stars such as Lamine Yamal and Estevão continue to draw attention, praised within their squads for their rapid development and maturity despite their young ages.
What to Expect
With both teams opting for assertive tactical plans and strong starting lineups, tonight’s encounter promises the hallmarks of a classic European meeting. Barcelona aim to reestablish consistency and authority on home soil, while Chelsea arrive with ambition and a strategy built around pressure and forward intent.
Supporters on both sides are bracing for a night defined by tactical duels, standout individual performances and the intensity that only Champions League football can produce.
