MADRID, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona travels with several key players out through injury for its vital Champions League tie away to Slavia Prague on Wednesday.
The leader of La Liga travels to the Czech Republic in 15th place in the 36-team qualifying group and needs to win its last two games to have a chance of qualifying directly for the last-16 of the tournament, without needing to play an extra play-off round in February.
Although a Slavia Prague side that is 33rd in the standings and without a win should be a relatively accessible rivals, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has a long list of absentees that complicates his side's task.
Winger Lamine Yamal is suspended for the game due to an accumulation of yellow cards, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been left out due to his imminent loan move to Girona and young midfielder Dro Fernandez is out of the reckoning as he too is on the verge of leaving the club.
Gavi and Andreas Christensen are both long-term absentees, while Ferran Torres has been diagnosed with a slight hamstring problem that will keep him out of action for around a week.
Raphinha has been included in the squad after the forward missed Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad with a thigh injury, but the Brazilian, who is important to his team, could struggle to play all 90 minutes.
Flick has included B-team players Jofre and Tommy, along with Juan Hernandez and Dani Rodriguez. ■
