Barcelona look to end their three-game winless streak in La Liga with a brutal away game as the Catalans travel to the beautiful Island of Mallorca to face Mallorca at Son Moix.
The Blaugrana have always faced monster tests away to Mallorca in the past, but this promises to be the most difficult one yet as the home team is enjoying a dream start to the season and will face a Barça side struggling for confidence and starting to show some cracks in their armor.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Tuesday’s game.
Defense
FC Barcelona v UD Las Palmas - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images
This is another must-win for Barça, and after failing to pick up any points at home against Las Palmas Flick has no choice but to go with a very strong side once again to finally get a victory.
The back four of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez and Alejandro Balde should remain intact despite Balde’s scary throat injury on Saturday, which turned out not to be as serious as it looked. The young left-back should be good to go against Mallorca, but Gerard Martín will be ready to start if Balde can’t start.
Midfield
FC Barcelona v Stade Brestois 29 - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Marc Casadó’s return from suspension feels very important as the young midfielder has grown into a crucial part of the system in midfield, and he’ll likely form a double pivot with Frenkie de Jong in this one as Pedri reportedly complained of some muscle discomfort at the end of Saturday’s game and could be rested in this one as a precaution.
Dani Olmo was left out at the weekend due to some discomfort of his own, but he’s expected to be ready to start this one as a number 10 to add much-needed creativity and scoring punch in midfield. Gavi, Pablo Torre and Fermín López are all possible options to start if Olmo isn’t quite ready, with Ferran Torres also in the mix if Flick wants to be really offensive and bring Raphinha back into the middle as he did earlier this season.
Attack
FC Barcelona v UD Las Palmas - La Liga EA Sports Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lamine Yamal made his return from an ankle injury at the weekend and will most likely start for the first time in almost a month against Mallorca, thus reuniting the attacking trio alongside Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski that devastated European football before the teenage superstar got hurt.
Possible XI: Peña; Kounde, Cubarsi, Iñigo, Balde; Casadó, Gavi; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Mallorca? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!