FC Barcelona travel to Prague for matchday seven of the UCL League Phase. The game is shaping up to be decisive for Hansi Flick’s side in their bid to secure a direct place in the round of 16. To put the clash between the two teams into context, here are five key facts to know:

Win, win or win

Flick’s players know that, to keep their chances of finishing in the top 8 (which grants direct qualification for the round of 16), they must win in Prague. Goal difference could also prove crucial in determining qualification if teams finish level on points.

Rashford rising in Europe

The Englishman has been playing a very prominent role on European nights. This season he has four goals and two assists in the Champions League, equalling his best-ever goal involvement tally in the competition from the 2020/21 season with Manchester United (six goals). Whether starting or coming off the bench, the forward has been a key player.

Few precedents

Barring friendlies, the only two previous meetings between Barça and Slavia Prague in UEFA competitions, came in the group stage of the 2019/20 Champions League, when Barça beat the Czech side 2-1 away from home and later drew 0–0 at the Camp Nou.

New opposition for Lewandowski

The Polish striker will face the Czech side for the first time. If he scores, he will have found the net against at least 39 different teams in the Champions League, overtaking Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored against 38. Only Messi has scored against more opponents, with a total of 40.

Low scorers

Slavia Prague have struggled to find the back of the net. In this season’s Champions League, the Czech side have failed to score in their last five matches and have managed just two goals in the league phase. Despite this, they have conceded the same number of goals as Barça (11).

Força Barça