Levante and FC Barcelona face each other this Saturday in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 in Valencia for the second matchday of the season. Hansi Flick's team arrives with most of the starters available, with Marcus Rashford and Marc Casadó as the main novelties in the German's XI.

The '14' will start for the first time in official matches accompanying Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in a very offensive scheme for the 'culés'. Casadó, on the other hand, will be Pedri's partner in midfield, replacing Frenkie de Jong.

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

Barça's starting XI vs Levante

  1. (#13, GK) Joan García
  2. (#24) Eric García
  3. (#04) Ronald Araujo
  4. (#05) Pau Cubarsí
  5. (#03) Alejandro Balde
  6. (#17) Marc Casadó
  7. (#08) Pedri González
  8. (#14) Marcus Rashford
  9. (#10) Lamine Yamal
  10. (#11) Raphinha
  11. (#07) Ferran Torres

Barça's bench (substitute players)

  1. (#01, GK) Iñaki Peña
  2. (#31, GK) Diego Kochen
  3. (#06) Gavi
  4. (#09) Robert Lewandowski
  5. (#15) Andreas Christensen
  6. (#16) Fermín López
  7. (#20) Dani Olmo
  8. (#23) Jules Koundé
  9. (#26) Jofre Torrents
  10. (#27) Pedro 'Dro' Fernández
  11. (#29) Toni Fernández

Players out for Barça

  1. (#01) Marc-André ter Stegen
  2. (#21) Frenkie de Jong
  3. (#28) Marc Bernal

Players pending registration

  1. (#19) Roony Bardghji
  2. (#25, GK) Szczesny
  3. (#35) Gerard Martín

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

In principle, Flick maintains the base of his lineup against Mallorca in the league debut, with the same defense and the offensive trident formed by Ferran, Lamine, and Raphinha. The adjustments are in the midfield.

Goalkeeper and defense

  • Joan García will be in goal, while Eric García and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs. In the center of defense, Pau Cubarsí accompanies 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, Marc Casadó will be Pedri's partner in midfield, while Marcus Rashford replaces Fermín López, probably to occupy the left side. Raphinha will be the team's attacking midfielder. Dani Olmo and Gavi, both with good performances on the Asian tour, await their opportunity on the bench alongside Fermín. Frenkie de Jong is on paternity leave.

Attack:

  • In attack, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres complete the 'azulgrana' attack alongside Rashford. The 'Shark' and the '10' come from scoring at Son Moix and hope to maintain their streak in Valencia. Rashford returns to the XI for the first time since the friendly against Daegu, where he scored a goal.

Barça's absentees: Who misses the match against Levante?

Frenkie de Jong during the friendly against Vissel Kobe

For now, only two Barça players will be confirmed absentees due to physical problems. The first 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.

LaLiga confirmed the German's long-term absence, after reviewing the 'azulgrana' medical report, and in the meantime, the German is working at the Ciutat Esportiva to recover. The other who remains on the sidelines is Marc Bernal. The midfielder already has medical clearance, but the coaching staff prefers to respect the one-year absence period before calling him up again.

The player from Berga traveled with the team to the Asian tour, but did not play any match. He also did not see action in the Gamper or in Mallorca, so it is likely that his return will have to wait until matchday 3, against Rayo. Exactly one year later and in the same stadium (Vallecas) where he was injured last season.

In addition, Frenkie de Jong will be absent in the Ciutat de Valencia due to the birth of his son. The Dutchman missed the training sessions prior to the match of matchday 2 and, finally, Marc Casadó will take his place in the center of the field.

Levante's ultra-defensive lineup: Will the 'granotas' repeat the team?

  • Initial XI: Campos; Toljan, De la Fuente, Elgezabal, Cabello, Manu Sánchez; Oriol Rey, Pablo Martínez, Brugui, Morales; Iván Romero.
  • Bench: Primo (GK), Moreno, Pampín, García, Iker C., Lozano, Espí, Cortés, Álvarez, Pérez.
  • Injured: None.

After overcoming the drama with the registrations prior to their debut in LaLiga, Levante returns to the Ciutat de Valencia to play their first match in Primera since 2022. Almost certainly, coach Julián Calero will repeat his scheme from Vitoria against Alavés (2-1), with three central defenders and very close lines near their area.

The 'granotas' are preparing an ultra-defensive tactical setup to try to nullify Barça's powerful offense, although very attentive to the possibility of quickly recovering the ball and doing damage on the counter with long balls. José Morales should return to the XI, playing behind Brugui and Iván Romero.

Thus, the Valencian team would start with Pablo Campos in goal, De la Fuente, Elgezabal, and Cabello as central defenders, Toljan and Manu Sánchez would be the wing-backs. In midfield, Oriol Rey and Pablo Martínez would accompany Morales, with Iván Romero as '9'.