Barcelona beat Slavia Prague, loans out goalkeeper

Fermín López scored twice as Barcelona beat Slavia Prague 4-2 in freezing conditions at the Fortuna Arena to strengthen their hopes of finishing in the Champions League’s top eight and qualifying directly for the last 16.

The hosts made a bright start and took the lead in the 10th minute when Tomáš Holeš flicked on a corner and Vasil Kušej forced the ball over the line from close range. 

Slavia knew only a win would keep their European campaign alive and began with urgency.

Barcelona responded through López, who levelled in the 34th minute with a powerful near-post strike past Jindřich Staněk. 

The midfielder struck again eight minutes later, curling a fine effort into the corner to put the visitors 2-1 ahead.

Slavia hit back just before half-time in fortuitous fashion as a right-wing corner bounced off the shoulder of Robert Lewandowski and into his own net, sending the teams in level at 2-2.

Despite the absence of suspended teenager Lamine Yamal, Barcelona controlled the second half. 

Head coach Hansi Flick introduced Dani Olmo and Marcus Rashford shortly after the hour, and the changes paid off almost immediately.

Olmo restored Barcelona’s lead with a superb strike from 18 yards before Rashford set up Lewandowski to atone for his earlier own goal and seal the win. 

The result eliminated Slavia Prague, while Barcelona moved up to ninth and will now aim to secure a top-eight finish when they host Copenhagen next week.

Meanwhil, Barcelona have sent goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen to Girona on loan. The German international was left out of Barça’s squad for their Champions League clash with Slavia Prague and granted permission to undergo a medical ahead of finalizing the deal early Wednesday 

Ter Stegen will spend the remainder of the season with Míchel’s Girona side, where he is expected to compete immediately for a starting role. 

However, the loan agreement includes a so-called “fear clause,” meaning the goalkeeper will not be allowed to play against Barcelona when the two teams meet next month at Montilivi in La Liga.