VALENCIA - BARCELONA
Possible Barcelona starting XI ahead of vs. Valencia in LaLiga EA Sports opener
The new Barcelona coach seems set to field Marc (Casadó) and Bernal in midfield with the now registered Iñigo Martínez set to partner Christensen in defence.
New FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick makes his LaLiga debut on the bench against Valencia at Mestalla with a side which will bear little resemblance to the team who played in the Gamper tournament, losing 0-3 to Monaco.
Ter Stegen will wear the armband as the captain between the sticks, while the wings will be covered by Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde with the late registration of Íñigo Martínez seeing the 33-year-old pair up with Dane Andreas Christensen in the heart of the Barça defence.
In midfield, Flick opts for youth with Marc Casadó set to partner Marc Bernal with both playing just behind Pedri who appears set to replace the injured Gúndogan. Euro 2024 hero Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will man their respective wings with Robert Lewandowski poised to act as lone striker. Pau Víctor, who has caught the eye in preseason would be a leading candidate for any second half switches employed by the German coach.
Possible FC Barcelona XI (vs Valencia): Ter Stegen, Kounde, Christensen, Martinez, Balde, Casadó, Bernal, Pedri, Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski.
The 2024-25 LaLiga EA Sports opener at Mestalla kicks-off at 3:30 ET with the Catalan side only losing once away to Valencia in their past 17 trips to face ‘Los Che’.