The back-to-back champions of La Liga begin a new season looking for a historic three-peat as Barcelona face Elche away from home in their first competitive match of the campaign.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle:
Defense
There will be no registration drama this summer as Barça have already registered every single signing with the exception of João Cancelo — who won’t be ready for the opener anyway — to give Hansi Flick his entire first team squad to pick from.
The
coach’s choice will be based purely on player fitness after a very short preseason for the big names and more minutes for youngsters and reserves, so the first starting lineup of the season will likely be very different from the one we’ll see in a few weeks.
We know Joan Garcia will be in goal and that Andreas Christensen and Gerard Martín were the two senior center-backs with the most minutes in preseason, so the real doubt is about the full-back spots: Eric Garcia will be a full-time right-back this year and started in that position in the last two friendlies, so we think he’ll be picked ahead of Jules Kounde for this one.
Alejandro Balde played most of preseason and is the obvious choice for the left-back spot, but his future is currently in question and his presence in the lineup is not guaranteed.
Balde could be left off the team if a move away from Camp Nou accelerates this weekend, which would mean a starting spot for 17-year-old Jordi Pesquer, who had an excellent preseason and already has Flick’s trust.
Midfield
Barça’s midfield is absolutely stacked this season but Rodri, Pedri, Gavi and Dani Olmo have all had very little time on the training pitch and will probably begin this one on the bench, with Flick expected to start Marc Bernal as a single pivot and Fermín López along with Xavi Espart as fluid number 8’s. That was the starting trio in the last two friendlies, and is a good pick to begin the season before the stars arrive in the second half.
Attack
Barça’s starting attack for the opener is also a big question mark given how little time Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon played in preseason.
Raphinha had plenty of minutes in the friendlies and looks sharp enough to start on Sunday, but the other two spots will likely be occupied by new signing Karim Adeyemi on the right wing and Hamza Abdelkarim up top. The young striker was Barça’s top scorer in preseason and is full of confidence, and his efforts should be rewarded by his coach with a spot in the XI against Elche.
Possible XI: Joan; Eric, Christensen, Martín, Balde; Fermín, Bernal, Espart; Adeyemi, Hamza, Raphinha (4-3-3)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Elche? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
