Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong will return to the Barcelona starting lineup against Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecas on Sunday.
Barcelona will aim to continue the perfect start to the 2025/26 La Liga season when they lock horns with Rayo Vallecano at Estadio de Vallecas on Sunday night. Hansi Flick has a new injury concern to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Gavi is the latest absentee, with the Spanish international picking up a knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines for a couple of weeks. The homegrown midfielder has joined Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the treatment room.
Otherwise, Flick has a full-strength squad, with Robert Lewandowski closer to starting a game for the reigning La Liga champions. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, the German tactician provided a fitness update on Gavi. He also heaped praise on Fermin Lopez’s future amid the Spaniard’s recent links with Chelsea.
The Barcelona manager said, “The plan is for him [Gavi] to be ready for Valencia. We’ll see how he evolves. He’s [Fermin] very aggressive, on the ball and off it. He’s excellent running into space beyond the back line and creates gaps. He scores goals and provides the final pass. Most importantly, he wants to be here and his heart is with Barça.”
While Fermin Lopez has received praise from Flick ahead of the game, he will unlikely feature in the starting lineup this weekend. Marcus Rashford will be another player to miss out, with Dani Olmo in line for a call-up to the team.
Olmo will reprise the no. 10 role, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal being the two wide attackers. Ferran Torres should lead the line for Barcelona against Rayo Vallecano, with Robert Lewandowski and Marcus Rashford being backup options on the bench. The midfield unit will also witness a change, with Frenkie de Jong replacing Marc Casado as Pedri’s partner in the double pivot.
Joan Garcia will retain his spot between the sticks, with the away side lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Rayo Vallecano. Finally, the defensive unit will see one change, with Jules Kounde replacing Eric Garcia as the right-back. The French international will join Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, and Alejandro Balde in the backline.
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona Predicted XI
Predicted Barcelona XI: Joan Garcia; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, de Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres