Barcelona's Squad for Racing Santander: Key Absences and Strong Core
Hansi Flick has nailed his colours to the mast for Wednesday night. Barcelona’s head coach has named a 23-man squad for the visit of Racing Santander, a game that already feels like an early marker in the sixth round of La Liga.
Two absences jump off the page. Ronny Bardghji and Frenkie de Jong stay on the sidelines, depriving Barça of creativity and control in the middle of the pitch. Flick, though, leans on the core that has powered a flawless start to the campaign, trusting the depth that has carried them to the top of the table.
Flick’s core, Camp Nou’s stage
The Spotify Camp Nou will see all the mainstays under the lights. Joan García, Szczęsny and Dominik Livaković headline a strong goalkeeping unit, giving Flick options between the posts. At the back, João Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsí, Jules Koundé and Eric García offer a mix of youth, pace and experience, the kind of blend that has underpinned Barcelona’s unbeaten run.
Midfield, even without De Jong, still crackles with talent. Gavi, Pedri, Fermín López, Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal are all in, a group capable of shifting the rhythm of a game in a few passes. Dani Olmo adds guile and versatility, able to drop between the lines or stretch play when the tempo rises.
Up front, the names are designed to unsettle any defence. Gabriel Jesus, Karim Adeyemi, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Roony and Hamza Abdelkarim all make the cut, a forward line built for speed, movement and constant pressure.
Kick-off is set for 9:30pm Spanish time. By then, the expectation will be clear: keep the run going, keep Real Madrid at arm’s length.
Riding the wave from Levante
Barcelona arrive with momentum roaring in their ears. Their last outing, a 4-2 win over Levante, did more than just add three points; it underlined the swagger returning to this side. Lamine Yamal lit up that match with two goals, the teenager once again playing as if the stage was built for him. Marc Casadó and Karim Adeyemi supplied the other strikes, proof that Flick’s rotation is delivering end product.
That victory kept Barça three points clear of Real Madrid and preserved a perfect league start. The margin is slim, but the message is loud. This team is not just winning; it is dictating.
Racing Santander now walk into that storm at the Camp Nou. For Barcelona, the assignment is simple and unforgiving: defend top spot, extend the gap, and show that this early-season surge is not a brief flourish but the new standard.
