Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Elche: La Liga

Barcelona finally begin their La Liga title defense on Sunday when visiting Elche at the Estadio Martínez Valero.

After being given an extra week to prepare for their opener due to the involvement of their players in the latter stages of the World Cup, La Blaugrana will expect to make a winning start against a team which only narrowly avoided relegation last season.

However, caution must be issued, with Hansi Flick forced to field a weakened side. Frenkie de Jong, Roony Bardghji and new recruit Rodri are all sidelined through injury, while the likes of Pedri and Pau Cubarsí will likely miss out on the starting lineup as they build match sharpness.

Here’s the exact XI the champions could select.

Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Elche

GK: Joan García—The World Cup-winning goalkeeper—who, admittedly, didn’t make an appearance in North America—is seeking to be crowned La Liga’s best goalkeeper for a third straight campaign.

RB: Eric García—The 25-year-old has revealed his manager wants him at fullback this season, which means competition with Jules Koundé for a place on the right-hand side of the defense.

CB: Andreas Christensen—With Ronald Araújo leaving for Liverpool and Cubarsí only likely to make the bench, the injury-prone Christensen should be handed another start having featured throughout preseason.

CB: Gerard Martín—The versatile 24-year-old was a revelation last season, making 51 appearances across all competitions, and will be heavily involved again this term.

LB: Alejandro Balde—João Cancelo’s arrival on a permanent basis threatens Balde’s minutes moving forward, but the Spaniard is likely to start the opening fixture considering his teammate only signed several days ago.

CM: Marc Bernal—Midfield is an issue for Flick ahead of the trip to Elche, with De Jong, Rodri, Pedri and Gavi all injured or yet to reach full fitness. Thankfully, Bernal is available, and is somehow the more experienced of Barça’s central midfielders this weekend.

CM: Xavi Espart—Following an impressive preseason, there are reports that the 19-year-old will be rewarded with only his seventh competitive senior appearance and second La Liga start.

RW: Lamine Yamal—Barça’s talisman returned with a goal and assist in the 5–2 friendly with Basel, before playing over an hour in the midweek Joan Gamper Trophy win over Al Ahly.

AM: Fermín López—A cruel injury blow on the eve of the World Cup at least allowed him a full preseason. He’s turned out in three friendlies for Flick and is currently ahead of Dani Olmo for a starting spot at No.10.

LW: Raphinha—The Brazilian now faces competition from Anthony Gordon on the left wing, but hardly needs to prove himself after 84 goal involvements across the last two seasons for Barça.

ST: Hamza Abdelkarim—Flick needs a new center forward following the exits of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, but Abdelkarim has earned a start on Sunday after four goals in preseason.

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