Barça-Valencia: Start for Bardghji, punishment for Raphinha!

FC Barcelona debuts this Sunday as host in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 with an unprecedented XI against Valencia. Due to injuries, Hansi Flick has made up to six changes compared to the team that faced Rayo two weeks ago in Vallecas. Without Lamine Yamal available due to discomfort in the pubis, everyone expected Raphinha to take his place as right winger.

However, the German coach has opted for Roony Bardghji to accompany Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres in the offensive trident. The Swede missed the previous three games, while the club resolved the mess with his registration.

Roony Bardghji debuts in La Liga as Lamine Yamal's replacement

Finally, the 19-year-old forward will be able to play with a reserve team card, wearing the number '28' on his back. The Kuwait native, after a month on the 'waiting list' due to the 'Fair Play' issue, gets to debut as a starter in La Liga, replacing none other than Lamine Yamal.

The '10', for now, is Barça's top offensive producer, with a pair of goals and assists in three games. Roony managed to 'score' in his first preseason game (1-3 against Vissel Kobe) and will try to do the same against Valencia at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. 

Punishment for Raphinha and bench for Olmo

Raphinha during a Champions League match with Barça.

Raphinha, on the other hand, will have to wait for his opportunity on the bench. The latest information indicates that the Brazilian, although he was the last to return from the break (along with Ronald Araujo), would start this Sunday. However, he ended up falling out of the XI due to a technical decision.

And it is that Rafa, as happened to Jules Koundé and Iñaki Peña the previous year, arrived late to the activation session before the game, so Hansi Flick decided to put Roony Bardghji in his place. The coach never hesitates to make this type of decision and the Swedish winger ended up being the great beneficiary of the day.

Roony saw minutes in the four summer friendlies and also played a game with the reserve team two weeks ago, while waiting for his registration. The other one returning to the bench is Dani Olmo, who had a poor game in Vallecas before the break.

New opportunity for Fermín and Rarshford

As has been happening in recent months, the Terrassa native alternates the role of attacking midfielder with Fermín López. The Huelva native started against Mallorca (0-3) and Levante (2-3), leaving quite discreet performances. Once the rumors about his future have been dispelled, the '16' has another great opportunity to shine on the same field where he was MVP of the Gamper, a month ago.

Along with Fermín, Marcus Rashford also returns to the Barcelona XI. The Englishman also did not have too much impact as a starter against Levante and knows that, against Valencia, he must make a difference if he does not want to resign himself to being a substitute from here to the end of the year.

The other new faces in the Barça lineup are Marc Casadó, Gerard Martín and Pau Cubarsí, the first two due to the injuries of Frenkie de Jong and Alejandro Balde, respectively. The center-back, on the other hand, had a day off against Rayo after a difficult night against the Granota team.

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