All eyes are turning to Camp Nou on Thursday evening as Barcelona face Athletic Bilbao in a highly anticipated match in the second round of the 2026/2027 La Liga season. ⚽🔥

The Catalan side enter the match looking to continue their strong start to the competition after opening their campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over Elche, sending an early message about their desire to compete strongly for the La Liga title this season.

German coach Hansi Flick has announced Barcelona’s starting lineup for the match, with particular attention on Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim, who remains on the bench for the second consecutive match and is therefore still among the attacking options available to the coaching staff during the game.

Barcelona Lineup vs Athletic Bilbao ⭐

Barcelona’s starting lineup under Hansi Flick is as follows:

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia.

Defense: Cubarsi, Xavi Espart, Martin, Eric Garcia.

Midfield: Bernal, Pedri, Fermin Lopez.

Attack: Gordon, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal.

The lineup reflects Flick’s reliance on a group of players capable of providing Barcelona with speed, possession, and attacking threat in front of the opposition goal, particularly with the team possessing several young talents alongside more experienced players.

Hamza Abdelkarim on the Bench 📢

Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim continues to be included in Barcelona’s squad, but he starts the Athletic Bilbao match on the bench, with the same situation occurring in the second consecutive game.

The player’s presence within the squad represents an important step in his experience with the Catalan club, especially as gradual involvement gives him an opportunity to adapt to the atmosphere of European competitions and become more familiar with the demands of the coaching staff.

Egyptian fans in particular are eagerly waiting to see whether Hamza Abdelkarim could feature during the match, either at the beginning of the second half or during the final minutes, should Flick need to change the attacking approach or add a new element to the final third.

Barcelona Substitutes

The following players are on Barcelona’s bench:

Joao Cancelo, Balde, Szczesny, Karim Adeyemi, Christensen, Rodri, Olmo, Kounde, Farinas, Hamza Abdelkarim, and Aller.

These names give the Catalan side’s head coach several options during the match, whether in defense, midfield, or attack, which could help Barcelona deal with different scenarios throughout the game.

Barcelona Seek a Second Consecutive Victory 🏆

Barcelona are looking to secure their second consecutive La Liga victory after producing a strong performance against Elche and scoring five goals, sending an early message to their competitors about their attacking capabilities.

Flick will hope to maintain the stability shown during the opening match, while also dealing carefully with Athletic Bilbao, a side known for its physical strength, pressing, and ability to create danger in major matches.

Controlling the midfield remains one of Barcelona’s most important keys in the game, particularly with Pedri and Fermin Lopez, alongside the need to exploit the pace of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in open spaces.

A Match Carrying Recent Memories ✨

The fixture carries positive memories for Barcelona, as the Catalan side managed to defeat Athletic Bilbao in their most recent meeting at San Mames by a 1-0 scoreline.

Young star Lamine Yamal scored the only goal of that match, once again demonstrating his ability to make the difference in difficult fixtures, which puts the spotlight on him again in today’s game.

Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, know that facing Barcelona requires a high level of concentration throughout the match, especially given the attacking strength the Catalan side displayed during the opening round.

Eyes on Hamza Abdelkarim

Hamza Abdelkarim’s potential involvement remains one of the major issues attracting Egyptian fans’ attention, as supporters are eager to see the player receive a genuine opportunity with Barcelona’s first team.

His presence on the bench means that the decision over whether he will play remains dependent on the course of the match and Flick’s tactical vision, but simply being part of the first-team squad represents an important stage in his career and gives him the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of major competitions.

As the match gets underway, the biggest question remains: Will Hamza Abdelkarim get his chance against Athletic Bilbao and begin a new chapter with Barcelona? 🇪🇬⚽

Share your predictions with us.. Do you think Hamza Abdelkarim will feature in the match? And can he make an impact if he gets his opportunity? 👇🔥