Barcelona's Club Brugge starting XI: Cubarsi rested for Champions League

Joe Wright

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Barcelona lineup vs. Club Brugge: Starting XI, team news, injuries as Cubarsi rested for Champions League match image

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Barcelona may be trailing rivals Real Madrid by five points in the La Liga standings, but they have a chance to catch their Clasico rivals in the Champions League standings as they visit Club Brugge for their fourth European match of the season on Wednesday.

The Catalan giants have six points through their first three games of the league phase, and can draw level with Madrid near the top of the standings after Los Blancos were second-best in their trip to Anfield yesterday.

It would be a small consolation for Barcelona after they were beaten 2-1 in the recent Clasico, although they bounced back from that domestic slip on the weekend with a victory over Elche.

Club Brugge are battling qualification to the knockout playoffs with three points in their first three games, having beaten AS Monaco in their European opener before defeats at the hands of Atalanta and Bayern Munich.

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Barcelona XI vs. Club Brugge

Szczesny (GK)

Kounde, Araujo, E. Garcia, Balde

De Jong, Casado

Lamine Yamal, F. Lopez, Rashford

F. Torres

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Barcelona substitutes: Kochen (GK), Aller (GK), Cubarsi, Martin, Espart, Bernal, Olmo, Bardghjji, D. Fernandez, Lewandowski.

Barca team update

Barcelona confirmed a hamstring strain for Pedri and he is not expected back until after the international break in mid-November. Marc Casado replaced him in the weekend win over Elche and should continue to step in here.

Fermin Lopez and Marcus Rashford will continue as part of a front four with the England international teeing up Lopez for a goal at the Bernabeu last weekend. Dani Olmo returns from his injury today, available as a substitute off the bench.

Raphinha was aiming to be back from his injury by now, but he remains out of action alongside Robert Lewandowski, leaving Ferran Torres to lead the attack once again. Ronald Araujo rotates in at the back alongside Eric Garcia, as Pau Cubarsi comes out of the XI to rest.

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Barça's injured players

Below is the latest injury picture for Barcelona, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Garcia's Joan

  • Injury: Meniscus tear (left knee)
  • Expected return date: November 2025

Garcia required arthroscopic surgery on a damaged meniscus in September. The goalkeeper is expected to return in early November.

Gavi

  • Injury: Meniscus damage (right knee)
  • Expected return date: February 2026

Gavi suffered damage to his right knee during an August training session. The midfielder avoided an ACL tear but required surgery to repair the meniscus. He's expected to face five months on the sidelines.

Lewandowski stars for Poland

  • Injury: Hamstring (left leg)
  • Expected return date: November 2025

Lewandowski's latest muscle issue is expected to see him miss a few weeks, so he could be back just before the November break.

Raphinha

  • Injury: Hamstring (right leg)
  • Expected return date: Early November

Raphinha was expected to be out for three weeks, but he suffered a small setback ahead of El Clasico, and Flick could hold him back for the Brugge game.

Ter Stegen named keeper

  • Injury: Lower back
  • Expected return date: Uncertain

Ter Stegen's back surgery in July sparked a mini crisis at Barca, who stripped him of the captaincy before reinstating him after accepting his version of how long he expected to be sidelined. The Germany keeper could be back before the end of the year, but it is unclear at this moment.

Pedri

  • Injury: Hamstring (left leg)
  • Expected return date: November

Pedri has been vital for Barcelona this season, with his historic injury issues now resolved, this latest issue is not expected to keep him out for long. He may be omitted from Spain duty in November with Luis de la Fuente's team already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Barcelona vs. Club Brugge game info

  • Date: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025
  • Kickoff time: 9   p.m. Local / 3 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT / 5 a.m. AEDT (Nov. 6)
  • Location:  Jan Breydelstadion (Bruges, Belgium)
  • Competition: UEFA Champions League, Matchweek 4
  • Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG)

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