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Barcelona start their La Liga title defence on the highway at Mallorca on August 16.
Hansi Flick’s facet will play their first three video games of the marketing campaign away from house because the membership works in direction of a Camp Nou return in mid-September.
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These plans stay unconfirmed, , and it is possible solely a partial opening shall be permitted subsequent month.
There has additionally been stacks of off-field drama within the build-up to the brand new season with captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s damage dominating the narrative in current weeks.
After eradicating and reinstating his captaincy, Barcelona have now acquired affirmation from La Liga over their plan to utilise a portion of his wage area to register Joan Garcia.
Nevertheless, that is only one hurdle handed for membership president Joan Laporta, as a number of extra registrations stay excellent forward of the flight to Palma.
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Forward of the opening recreation of the La Liga season, The Sporting Information takes a take a look at three key points going through Flick.
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Rashford’s registration query unanswered
Garcia’s registration means he’ll begin in objective on his La Liga debut with Ter Stegen dominated out. The size of the German’s absence shall be addressed additional down the road, however it’s an necessary field ticked by Barcelona.
The following set of paperwork to be stuffed focuses on Marcus Rashford, who stays in limbo in Catalonia, as Barcelona sit outdoors La Liga’s 1:1 switch coverage.
Laporta has an ace up his sleeve to get Rashford registered by the top of August, however that isn’t his choice, because the membership search to keep away from a Dani Olmo-style embarrassment.
Robert Lewandowski is ready to overlook out on account of a muscle damage, however because the clock ticks down for Rashford, Flick might go for Ferran Torres as a starter to cowl his bases.
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Lewandowski’s absence had been seen as an ideal probability for Rashford to step up however nothing is ever easy with Laporta’s Barcelona.
Can Araujo fill Martinez hole?
As a part of the scramble to promote gamers to fulfill their La Liga goal, Barcelona have been pressured to make some daring decisions,
Martinez was very good for Flick final season as he and Pau Cubarsi began 28 La Liga video games collectively on the coronary heart of Barcelona’s defence.
It was a really perfect steadiness of Cubarsi’s large potential and maturity matched with Martinez’s gritty expertise and the pair dovetailed completely.
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Nevertheless, as funds proceed to tighten, the Basque defender was seen as expendable and Al Nassr swooped in.
Cubarsi stays unmoved as a starter, however Martinez’s exit brings Ronald Araujo again into the primary XI, after an injury-disrupted 12 months.
On type, the Uruguayan is excellent, however there are doubts over his consistency and he might want to re-adapt to taking part in alongside a teen.
Pedri, De Jong, plus one in midfield
Pedri is the hub of this Barcelona crew – one thing which has already caught Rashford’s consideration – and he accomplished 37 out of 38 La Liga appearances in 2024/25.
Frenkie de Jong appears to be like to have come full circle, along with his damage points behind him, and a brand new contract on the desk for the Dutchman again on the desk.
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With Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski and Raphinha electrical as a entrance three, the query stays over who operates simply behind, and Flick shouldn’t be brief on choices.
Fermin Lopez España Spain
(Getty Pictures)
Fermin Lopez scored twice – alongside De Jong and Pedri – within the 5-0 Joan Gamper Trophy win over Como, however his beginning place shouldn’t be sure.
Dani Olmo was the chosen decide within the run-in final season, however he began simply as soon as in preseason, which means Gavi and Lopez can problem to begin in Palma.
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