Barcelona head into their midweek European showdown brimming with confidence after a commanding 3–0 win over Real Oviedo at the weekend, a result that lifted them back to the top of the La Liga standings. The convincing nature of that victory has reinforced the positive mood around the club, but there will be little time to dwell on domestic success as attention quickly shifts to the Champions League.
The Catalan side now face a decisive final group-stage encounter against FC Copenhagen, a fixture that could define their European campaign. Victory alone may not be enough for Barcelona — they are likely to need a dominant performance and a healthy goal margin to keep alive their hopes of finishing inside the competition’s top eight. With qualification scenarios extremely tight, goal difference could prove decisive, placing added pressure on Hansi Flick’s team to play aggressively from the opening whistle.
Complicating matters for Barcelona is the absence of two key midfielders. Pedri has once again been ruled out after suffering an injury setback, with medical reports suggesting he will be sidelined for around a month. Frenkie de Jong is also unavailable after accumulating his third yellow card of the Champions League campaign, resulting in an automatic suspension. Losing both players deprives Flick of control, composure, and creativity in midfield.
However, these setbacks may also open the door for tactical innovation. According to reports from *MARCA*, Flick is considering reshaping his midfield by switching to a 4-3-3 formation designed to maximize attacking output. This setup would allow Barcelona to deploy two advanced midfielders just behind the front three, increasing their presence in dangerous areas and supporting a more direct attacking approach.
Under this plan, Dani Olmo and Fermín López could be handed key roles as attack-minded midfielders, while Eric García may operate as a makeshift holding player at the base of midfield. Flick has reportedly been impressed by the recent form of both Olmo and Fermín, who have emerged as some of Barcelona’s most influential performers in recent weeks.
Fermín has been particularly outstanding, recording three goals and six assists so far this year. His relentless energy, intelligent movement into the box, and ability to deliver decisive passes have added a new spark to Barcelona’s attack. Olmo has also made a strong contribution, chipping in with three goals and one assist while consistently providing technical quality and sharp decision-making between the lines.
Given their current form, both players appear well-suited to a high-tempo, attack-focused game plan. With Champions League progression on the line and little margin for error, Flick may opt to take calculated risks. A bold, offensive midfield setup could be Barcelona’s best route to overwhelming Copenhagen and securing the emphatic victory they need to stay firmly in contention for a top-eight finish.
