FC Barcelona makes its LaLiga debut this Saturday against Mallorca (19:30 CEST) with a significant absence in attack. Robert Lewandowski will be out for around three weeks due to injury, and Hansi Flick must choose the number 9 to accompany Raphinha and Lamine Yamal at Son Moix.
In principle, Ferran Torres should be the one chosen to fill in for the Polish striker. 'The Shark' finished last season with 19 goals and was a starter in the first match of the Asian tour against Vissel Kobe. Although he scored a brace against Seoul, the number 7 missed the match against Daegu due to physical discomfort.
Furthermore, he was a substitute against Como in the Joan Gamper Trophy (5-0), although he came on after halftime. The Valencian, in fact, assisted Lamine for the azulgrana's fifth goal, but he missed a golden opportunity a couple of minutes later, shooting wide after entering the box from the right.
Will Rashford play as the '9' again against Mallorca?
In the Gamper, Ferran replaced Marcus Rashford at halftime. The Englishman had already played the second half against Daegu as the team's focal point in attack and was the big surprise in the starting XI against Como, playing again as the team's number 9.
In the 90 minutes he has played as a center-forward, the number 14 scored a goal against Daegu and provided an assist in the Gamper. On Sunday, however, he missed a sitter after dribbling past the opposing goalkeeper, shooting into the side netting despite having an open goal in front of him.
'Rashy', beyond that particular play, was very active, moving across the entire frontline. The assist to Raphinha, in fact, came from a diagonal run from the right and a perfect low cross. The Brazilian only had to tap it into the net.
In that sense, both Marcus and Ferran have good arguments to start in the league this Saturday. However, only one will be in the starting XI, as Raphinha is expected to remain on the left wing, where he was most effective last season.
Fermín López also a contender for the starting XI in the LaLiga debut
Furthermore, it's clear that Hansi Flick will opt for either Fermín López or Dani Olmo as the attacking midfielder, with the Huelva native being the favorite to make his first start of the 25/26 season. The number 16 scored a brace against Como and is in enviable form.
Olmo, on the other hand, is carrying a minor muscle injury and, despite a couple of assists on the Asian tour, looks set to start the season on the bench. The player from Terrassa is almost always a starter when fully fit, but his fitness often lets him down just when he is showing his best form on the pitch.
Thus, from midfield forward, the only doubt for the Mallorca match is, for now, the number 9 position. There could also be a surprise in defense, with Eric García potentially starting over Jules Koundé. And in goal, everything will depend on resolving the registrations of Joan García and Wojciech Szczesny. For now, Iñaki Peña is the only registered goalkeeper, besides the injured Ter Stegen.