FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca debut this Saturday in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 at Son Moix (7:30 PM CEST) in search of the first victory of the season. Hansi Flick's team arrives with most of the starters available, awaiting the recovery of Robert Lewandowski.

The Polish player continues to have discomfort in his left thigh and could be out for a couple more weeks. Beyond the absence of the '9', the good news came thanks to the imminent resolution of the registrations of Joan García and Marcus Rashford.

Both will receive their federative license thanks to the income derived from the sale of Francisco Trincao to Sporting CP, an operation that left 11 million euros net in the Barça coffers. In addition, the club took advantage of the margin released through the long-term injury of Marc-André ter Stegen, who will be out for at least four months and frees up 50% of his salary.

We review the possible starting lineup, the substitutes' bench, and the injured and sanctioned players of Barcelona under Hansi Flick for the match against Mallorca. Complete analysis!

Probable starting XI for Barça:

  1. (#01, GK) Joan García
  2. (#23) Jules Koundé
  3. (#04) Ronald Araujo
  4. (#05) Pau Cubarsí
  5. (#03) Alejandro Balde
  6. (#21) Frenkie de Jong
  7. (#08) Pedri
  8. (#16) Fermín López
  9. (#10) Lamine Yamal
  10. (#11) Raphinha
  11. (#07) Ferran Torres

Barça's bench (substitute players):

  1. (#13, GK) Iñaki Peña
  2. (#31, GK) Diego Kochen
  3. (#06) Gavi
  4. (#14) Marcus Rashford
  5. (#15) Andreas Christensen
  6. (#17) Marc Casadó
  7. (#19) Roony Bardghji
  8. (#20) Dani Olmo
  9. (#24) Eric García
  10. (#26) Jofre Torrents
  11. (#27) Pedro 'Dro' Fernández
  12. (#28) Marc Bernal

Injured Barça players:

  1. (#01) Marc-André ter Stegen
  2. (#09) Robert Lewandowski

Players pending registration:

  1. (#25, GK) Szczesny
  2. (#35) Gerard Martín

What will be the surprises and tactical variations of Flick's Barça against Mallorca?

In principle, Flick plans to keep his XI from the Joan Gamper Trophy almost intact, again with important tweaks in defense. Joan García would be the starting goalkeeper, with Jules Koundé back in the XI as a right-back.

Goalkeeping and defense

  • Joan García will be in goal, while Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs. In the center of defense, Pau Cubarsí should partner with Ronald Araujo, with Andreas Christensen waiting for his opportunity on the bench. Gerard Martín and Wojciech Szczesny are not yet registered.

Midfield:

  • As a pivot, Frenkie de Jong is expected to be Pedri's partner in midfield, while Fermín López would return as the team's attacking midfielder. Dani Olmo and Gavi, both with good performances on the Asian tour, would have an initial rest, while Marc Casadó will also be available as a substitute.

Attack:

  • In attack, Raphinha and Ferran Torres complete the Blaugrana attack alongside Lamine Yamal. The 'Shark' was a substitute in the Gamper due to some physical discomfort, but he added an assist in the second half. Rashford, a starter against Como, also has good chances of debuting in the starting XI in La Liga.

Barça's absentees: Who misses the match against Mallorca due to injury?

Robert Lewandowski, during the Gamper 2025

For the moment, only two Barça players will be confirmed absentees due to physical problems. The first is Robert Lewandowski, who returned from Korea with an injury to his femoral biceps and could be out for up to three weeks. The Polish player, however, will do everything possible to reappear before the international break in early September.

Finally, the second absence, the most prolonged, is that of Ter Stegen. The goalkeeper underwent surgery on July 29 in Bordeaux and will be out for between four and five months, according to the deadlines set by the club. This week, LaLiga confirmed the long-term absence of the German, after reviewing the Blaugrana medical report.

The possible surprise lineup of Mallorca! Alternative XI for the Vermilions?

  • Starting XI: Leo Román; Morey, Raíllo, Valjent, Mojica; Mascarell, Morlanes, Darder; Asano, Pablo Torre and Muriqi.
  • Bench: Bergström (GK), López, Lato, Dani Rodríguez, Luna, Llabrés, Asano, Joseph, Prats.
  • Injured: Samú Costa and Iván Cuéllar.

Mallorca, on the other hand, starts the 25/26 season with several problems in assembling its squad. Pablo Maffeo, Cyle Larin, and Dominik Grief have been sidelined by Jagoba Arrasate while they resolve their departure from the team, while Samú Costa, who also intends to leave, is out due to injury along with goalkeeper Iván Cuéllar.

In that sense, the Vermilion team could take to their first game of the season with Leo Román in goal, Morey and Mojica as full-backs, Raíllo and Valjent in the center of defense. In midfield would be Mascarell, Morlanes, and Darder, with Pablo Torre as a right winger, Asano on the left, and Muriqui as a '9'.

The Cantabrian will debut precisely against Barça, who in July closed his transfer for 5 million euros, reserving 50% of his sports rights. This summer, Mallorca also signed goalkeeper Lucas Bergström (released by Chelsea) and Matteo Joseph, a striker on loan from Leeds.

In the final stretch of the market, several more movements are expected for a team that comes from finishing last La Liga in tenth place and whose main objective, again, is to ensure permanence without difficulties. Can the Balearic team surprise Barça in their debut?