Barça's futsal team returns to the Champions League with the ambition of consolidating its position in first place in Group M. The team, led by Javi Rodríguez, faces Semey this Thursday, a Kazakh club led by former Blues player Sergi Altisent, in a match that will be broadcast at 4:00 p.m. on Esport3. The victory would be Barça's second consecutive victory in the Main Round and would allow them to consolidate their lead in the group, in addition to securing the advantage of playing the second leg of the round of 16 at home.
The match comes after Barça kicked off their European campaign with a resounding 6‑1 victory over Swiss side Futsal Minerva the day before. That victory marked the club's return to continental competition, which it had not played since the 2023-24 season, and gave fans back the feeling of a team on the rise. For their part, the Semeys came to the field after beating their local rival, Futsal Klub Lučenec, 6‑0, making them the most feared opponent in the group.
In the Main Round, four teams compete in a mini-tournament at a single venue. The first three in each group advance to the round of 16, but finishing in first position has strategic advantages: the first two in the group will play the second leg of the round of 16 at home, scheduled for early December. Therefore, a victory for Barça against the Semeys would not only ensure their leadership position, but would also give them the possibility of playing the last game in the group, against Lučenec, on Saturday, October 31 at 6:00 p.m. in Esport3, at home.
Javi Rodríguez has emphasized the importance of recovering European respect and building a solid track record before setting greater objectives. The coach emphasizes that the return to the top continental competition represents a special challenge for his project and that each match must be won with concentration and discipline. With the momentum of the debut against Minerva, Barça has the opportunity to consolidate its position and advance with confidence towards the round of 16 phase.