Barcelona’s Champions League season now comes down to one clear job at Camp Nou: beat Copenhagen well. With 13 points from seven league-phase matchdays and a +5 goal difference, Hansi Flick’s side need a strong win on January 28, 2026 to seal a Top 8 finish and skip straight to the Round of 16.

The math is tight. The field above them is strong, and the pack around them is crowded. But the message from Flick is simple and sharp. “We have a significant opportunity to secure a position in the top eight, and we will do everything within our power to attain this… First, we need to keep a clean sheet, and then we must find the back of the net,” he said on the eve of the game.

Why a strong win vs Copenhagen matters for Barcelona’s Top 8 push

Barcelona’s 13 points put them level with Sporting CP, Manchester City, and Atlético Madrid after seven matchdays. Their goal difference sits at +5. That places them somewhere between ninth and 13th depending on the source and tiebreak order, highlighting how volatile the table remains after Matchday 7.

At the top, Arsenal lead on 21 points, with Bayern Munich on 18 and Real Madrid on 15. The target for Barça is not to catch them in one night, but to rise above the traffic jam in the middle. A clean sheet and multiple goals, as Flick stressed, could be the difference between cruising into the Round of 16 or dropping into the dangerous playoff path for teams placed 9th to 24th.

Matchday 7 underlined that swings can be big at this stage. Inter fell 1-3 to Arsenal, Real Madrid smashed Monaco 6-1, Copenhagen drew 1-1 with Napoli, and Galatasaray held Atlético Madrid 1-1. One slip or one big win can reshape the map.

“Clean sheet first, then goals — will Barça stay brave?”

Flick’s call: control the game, respect the stage

In his press conference, Flick struck a confident but grounded tone. “This is the Champions League, and it’s crucial for us to elevate our performance… We face a challenging match against Copenhagen.” It is clear he wants a mature performance: strong structure, fast tempo, and smart decisions in both boxes.

He also leaned into the new league-phase format rather than blaming it for the stress. “I absolutely love it. This is what it’s all about,” he said. That speaks to his mindset: embrace the pressure, use the stage, and go win well.

Form check: goals flowing, lessons learned

Barcelona haven’t yet hit their ceiling in Europe across seven games, but there have been signs of growth and flexibility. We saw it against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they moved from a 3-2-2-3 build to a more familiar 4-3-3 late, and it helped close the game. Marcus Rashford came on to add width, which stretched the defense and gave Barça a better outlet on the break and down the line. Flick publicly praised his staff for sharp, in-game adjustments.

The recent results show a team that can both dominate and dig in:

• Slavia Prague 2-4 Barcelona (MD7)
• Barcelona 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
• Barcelona 6-1 Olympiacos
• Barcelona 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain

These games underline a simple truth: when Barcelona get their press and spacing right, they score in bunches; when they switch off, they get punished by top sides. The balance on Tuesday has to be right from minute one.

“Rashford wide changed a game — start him and run at Copenhagen.”

What will decide Barcelona vs Copenhagen at Camp Nou

Copenhagen’s 1-1 draw with Napoli on Matchday 7 is a caution sign. They can frustrate, they can defend deep, and they can take their chance. That is why the first part of Flick’s plan matters: keep a clean sheet. It removes panic and adds pressure on the visitors.

On the ball, Barcelona will want fast starts, wide threats, and runs in behind. Switching play quickly can pull Copenhagen out of shape. A change of pace off the bench — like Rashford’s width and speed in earlier matches — could again be key if the game tightens. Set pieces matter, too. Barça’s delivery has been strong during their big wins; a single dead ball can settle nerves and open the floodgates.

At Camp Nou, Barcelona are rightly favored. But the last step into the Top 8 is rarely easy. The task is clear: be ruthless, but also be calm.

The Atlético factor and the fine margins of the Top 8

Atlético Madrid, also on 13 points, face Bodø/Glimt. Their result can push the Top 8 door open or slam it shut. Barcelona will keep one eye on that scoreboard, but the best way to avoid stress is to do the job themselves with authority.

Tiebreaks may come into play, which is why Flick’s push for a clean sheet and multiple goals feels so pointed. Goal difference can be decisive in a four-team tie. Getting to halftime with control, then finding a second and third goal late, could make all the difference to where Barcelona land on the final ladder.

“Top 8 or play-offs — this is the real test of Flick’s plan.”

Flick’s bottom line: embrace the moment, finish the job

Flick’s public notes hit the right targets for a high-pressure night: respect Copenhagen, love the format, and set clear, simple goals for the group. Clean sheet. Goals. A step up in intensity. And a full-throttle Camp Nou.

Barcelona have put themselves in position with four wins, one draw, and two losses. Now comes the final push to turn that into a Top 8 ticket and direct Round of 16 qualification. The team has shown it can adapt and score. The fans know the mission. The coach has set the tone.

Win well, and Europe opens up. Slip, and the path gets longer and harder. For Barcelona, it’s time to make the last night of the league phase count.