FC Barcelona Versus Mallorca Starting Line Up And Preview

FC Barcelona will take on RCD Mallorca in the start of its defense of the La Liga title.

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New FC Barcelona signing Joan Garcia is expected to start and make his full debut for the men’s first team against RCD Mallorca on Saturday.

There were registration issues surrounding Barca’s marquee summer signing from Espanyol. After the remaining 50% of Francisco Trincao’s rights were sold to Sporting Lisbon, however, the Catalan could be given the greenlight to continue his journey in the Spanish top flight.

With captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen injured, Garcia is considered to be the Blaugrana’s long-term future between the sticks and has his best years ahead of him at 24.

He’ll hope to keep a clean sheet in San Moix after doing so last Sunday in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Como, as Barca starts its defense of the La Liga crown as the domestic treble champions of the land at 19.30 local time.

FC Barcelona will field its strongest possible defense

With Inigo Martinez sold to Saudi Arabia, Barca will field its strongest possible defense to protect Garcia’s goal. That consists of Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde as the left and right backs, with Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo in the middle.

In midfield, Fermin Lopez gets the nod ahead of Dani Olmo and Gavi, which means he partners Pedri as Frenkie de Jong is the more defensive pivot behind the Spaniards.

Because of Robert Lewandowski being out injured, Ferran Torres is the central number 9 with Ballon d’Or candidates Raphinha and Lamine Yamal to his left and right.

At the time of publishing, the other main summer signing Marcus Rashford, who has joined on loan from Manchester United, hasn’t been cleared to play but that could change before kick off.

If so, he might feature at some point either to replace Ferran or play on the left wing as Raphinha is hooked or drifts more centrally.

What did FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick have to say?

At his prematch press conference on Friday, FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said: “We’ll see what happens in the second season … What I can say is that we are working a lot. The quality in training is what we were looking for, we want to continue at the same level. Three titles is not the end, it is the beginning. We want to improve. It’s about maintaining the winning mentality and we’re on the right track.”