Who: Elche vs Barcelona
What: Spanish football’s La Liga
Where: Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium, Elche, Spain
When: Sunday, August 23, at 9:30pm (19:30 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up from 16:30 GMT ahead of our live text commentary stream
Hansi Flick’s second season at Barcelona built on the success of his first, with the German coach guiding the Catalan giants to a second straight La Liga title.
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His third campaign, however, brings significant structural changes to the team as Barcelona look to maintain their domestic dominance and handle the threat of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, while aiming to end their wait for Champions League glory.
Barca begin their campaign at Elche on Sunday in the Spanish top flight, a day after Mourinho’s Los Blancos visit Espanyol in the Catalan capital.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the start of the La Liga defence.
What changes have Barcelona made?
The arrival of Rodri from Manchester City is Barca’s most significant addition, while the departures of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres leave Flick with a reshaped attacking unit.
Barcelona have been prolific going forward but vulnerable at the back since Flick arrived in 2024, and the club hopes the arrival of World Cup winner Rodri can help address the latter.
The Spain captain was a market opportunity Barcelona were reluctant to pass up, particularly with Real Madrid also linked with the 30-year-old holding midfielder before his move to Catalonia.
Rodri brings not only control and defensive protection but also the experience of winning the biggest trophies in club football, qualities Barcelona hope can help them claim a first European crown since 2015.
“I’m here to compete for everything, for big things like the Champions League,” said Rodri after his presentation.
Former Germany and Bayern boss Flick will also have to rebuild an attack that has been one of the team’s greatest strengths.
New arrivals Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi appear well-suited to the German’s high-intensity approach, with both offering the pace and work rate required to lead Barcelona’s aggressive pressing game.
How will Barcelona solve their case of the missing striker?
The key question for Barcelona is whether sporting director Deco can land a centre-forward before the transfer window closes.
Barca’s attempt to sign Julian Alvarez splintered on the rocks of Atletico Madrid’s resolve, leaving Flick without an obvious replacement for Lewandowski.
“What Ferran did we can cover with the signings, but what Robert did is more difficult,” said Deco.
“We have internal solutions, but we will make another move; we’ll try and find the best solution.”
Barcelona could opt for a cheaper attacker and preserve their spending power for next summer, particularly after making pricey moves for Rodri and Gordon.
Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Gordon and Adeyemi can all operate as false nines, giving Flick different ways to compensate for the absence of a traditional striker, if the club does not get a deal over the line.
Above all, Barcelona will hope teenage sensation Lamine Yamal can remain in his extraordinary form and enjoy a full season at the top of his game after injuries and other concerns disrupted the early months of his previous campaign.
At just 19, Yamal is already the crucial figure in Barcelona’s attack and the player around whom the club’s ambitions are built.
If Rodri can provide greater stability behind him and Flick finds enough goals across a reshaped attack, Barcelona have the tools they need to retain their Liga crown.
Flick did not reveal who would start up front at Elche but praised the preseason form of Egyptian youngster Hamza Abdelkarim, after the 18-year-old notched four goals in friendlies.
“Hamza is having a really great preseason,” said Flick.
“He’s a number nine, he’s young, and he has a lot of potential, and also he scored goals. This is the important thing when you’re playing in this position, and he made a great job.”
What happened the last time Elche played Barcelona?
Barcelona won 3-1 at the Martinez Valero in La Liga in January, with Yamal, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford scoring for the visitors.
Prediction
The Opta supercomputer makes Barcelona strong favourites, giving Hansi Flick’s side a 68 percent chance of winning, compared with 14 percent for Elche.
Head-to-head
This will be the 57th competitive meeting between the clubs. Barcelona have won 36 of the previous encounters, with Elche winning on nine occasions.
Elche team news
Elche will be without Adam Boayar and Yago Santiago due to injury.
Martin Anselmi’s side drew 1-1 with Deportivo on the opening weekend and are expected to retain a three-man defence against Barca.
Elche predicted starting lineup
Dituro; Chust, Redondo, Affengruber; Sangare, Villar, Aguado, Valera; Houary, Nino, Cepeda
Barcelona team news
Rodri will miss the match, but the former Manchester City midfielder may be able to take part in their second match, against Athletic Bilbao, on Thursday.
“He’s very concentrated, focused. Our plan is that he will arrive on Monday with the team,” Flick told reporters on Saturday.
Frenkie de Jong remains out, while Roony Bardghji is also unavailable due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Flick, however, said full-back Joao Cancelo, signed this week, could feature.
“He’s ready to play. He has unbelievable technique and a lot of passion,” added Flick.
Barcelona predicted starting lineup
J Garcia; E Garcia, Kounde, Martin, Balde; Pedri, Bernal; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Abdelkarim
