Barcelona Begin La Liga Title Defense Away at Elche Under Hansi Flick

Barcelona's Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are set to lead the Catalan club's attack as they kick off their La Liga campaign against Elche at the Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium on Sunday.

Hansi Flick enters his third season at Barcelona following consecutive La Liga titles, though significant structural changes loom as the team aims for domestic dominance and Champions League glory. The club's major additions include Rodri from Manchester City, while the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have reshaped the attacking unit alongside new signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.

Sporting director Deco continues to evaluate options for a new centre-forward before the transfer window closes, though youngsters like Hamza Abdelkarim have impressed in preseason. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal returns as the focal point of Barcelona's ambitions after an impressive run of form.

In team news, Barcelona will be without the injured Rodri, Frenkie de Jong, and Roony Bardghji, though new signing Joao Cancelo could feature. Elche will miss Adam Boayar and Yago Santiago due to injury as Martin Anselmi prepares his squad for the encounter.

Barcelona predicted starting lineup: J Garcia; E Garcia, Kounde, Martin, Balde; Pedri, Bernal; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Abdelkarim

Elche predicted starting lineup: Dituro; Chust, Redondo, Affengruber; Sangare, Villar, Aguado, Valera; Houary, Nino, Cepeda