Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez will return to the Barcelona starting lineup when they host RCD Mallorca at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday.
Barcelona will be eager to continue the recent five-match winning run when they welcome RCD Mallorca to the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon. Hansi Flick has no new injury concerns to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Andreas Christensen (ACL), Pedri (hamstring), and Gavi (knee) remain in the treatment room. Additionally, Flick continues to sweat over Raphinha’s fitness, with the Brazilian international recovering from a groin issue.
Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick confirmed Raphinha’s absence for the league game against RCD Mallorca this weekend. Meanwhile, the German tactician lauded Fermin Lopez and Frenkie de Jong, with the duo being pivotal figures for the Blaugrana in the middle of the park. Yamal also received some praise from Flick.
The Barcelona boss said, “Fermin loves Barça. He has talent, intensity, and he’s playing at his highest level. I’m very happy for him and for the club. It’s a fantastic decision. He [Frenkie] is fantastic on the ball, and he’s grown as a leader, which is normal with his age and experience. He feels very comfortable in Barcelona. He loves the club and the city.”
“We have to wait and see if he [Raphinha] will be in the Cup. We need to stay calm and take it one step at a time. The most important thing is that he [Yamal] enjoys himself. And that’s something we have to help him with.”
Joan Garcia is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him against RCD Mallorca on Saturday. The backline will feature Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Alejandro Balde.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermin Lopez in the middle of the park. Finally, Ferran Torres will replace Robert Lewandowski as the central striker, with Marcus Rashford and Lamine Yamal being the two wide attackers. So, Lewandowski and Roony Bardghji will be among the backup options on the bench for the home side.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Balde; Olmo, de Jong, Fermin Lopez; Yamal, Torres, Rashford
