Madrid, August 23: Defending champions Barcelona will kick off their La Liga title defense against Elche this Sunday. The Elche team has undergone significant changes, and coach Hansi Flick aims for a strong start to the new season.
Barcelona will feature several new faces in their opening match. Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi provide fresh options on the wings, while Spanish international midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez has also joined the squad. Joao Cancelo returns on a permanent deal after impressing during his loan spell in the latter half of last season.
According to reports, Barcelona lacks a direct replacement for Robert Lewandowski or Ferran Torres, which means Flick may start the season without a central striker in his starting eleven. Fermín López has expressed his desire to play in a ‘false number 9’ role. With players like Lamine Yamal, Gordon, Adeyemi, and Raphinha, coach Flick has multiple attacking options. These players can interchange positions, making the team’s attack quicker, more flexible, and challenging for opponents.
Flick may also give a significant role to 18-year-old Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim. The young player has impressed during pre-season with his performance and goal-scoring ability, earning a spot in the first-team squad. Negotiations for a better contract are underway for Abdelkarim, who joined the club on a permanent deal at the start of the summer.
Flick will need to carefully manage the workload of several key players. After participating in the World Cup, Yamal, Gordon, Pedri, Jules Koundé, and Eric Garcia may have limited playing time. Rodrigo and Cancelo could face even more restrictions due to having little time to train with their new teammates. Their reduced playing time may open opportunities for Barcelona’s younger players.
Defender Javi Espart is among those who could benefit from strong pre-season performances. His display has bolstered his claim for a first-team spot, and he may get a chance against Elche. With several players still improving their fitness and the team’s new attack taking shape, Barcelona’s first match will provide an early indication of how Flick plans to balance experience and youthful energy during their title defense.