Barcelona name Gavi in adventurous starting XI for Elche La Liga opener

Hansi Flick has included Gavi in Barcelona’s starting line-up for their opening La Liga match against Elche, while also selecting a system shaped by the club’s preparations during pre-season.

The Germany manager has made the midfielder one of the most notable features of his first competitive Barcelona team of the new campaign, placing him in central midfield from the outset despite strong competition for places in that area.

Barcelona’s starting XI is: Joan Garcia, Eric, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Espart, Fermin Lopez, Bernal, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Adeyemi and Raphinha.

It will be the first official test of the new season for Flick’s side and the first competitive match in which he has been able to put his pre-season ideas into practice.

Gavi’s selection is a clear indication of the manager’s confidence in the 20-year-old, who has been handed a starting role in midfield rather than being kept among the substitutes. Flick’s decision highlights the importance he attaches to Gavi within his plans, even with several players competing for positions in the centre of the team.

Attention will also focus on the defensive set-up. With Balde absent, Espart is expected to operate at left-back, while Flick has continued to favour players who made a strong impression during the preparation period.

The line-up includes four Spanish players who featured at the World Cup, underlining the continued presence of Spain internationals in Barcelona’s team for the opening fixture.

Flick has also left Hamza Abdelkarim out of the starting side. That decision means Barcelona are expected to begin the match without a recognised central striker, with the manager instead considering a false-nine approach.

Adeyemi or Raphinha could occupy that role, with Lamine Yamal also involved in the attacking arrangement. The intention is to give Barcelona greater movement and flexibility in the final third as they attempt to unsettle Elche’s defence.

The use of a false nine would allow the forward players to interchange positions rather than relying on a fixed target at the top of the formation. It also places additional responsibility on Adeyemi, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal to provide Barcelona’s attacking threat.

Flick’s choices therefore combine continuity from pre-season with a number of decisions that have attracted attention before kick-off. Gavi’s inclusion, the expected use of Espart at left-back and the absence of Hamza Abdelkarim all form part of a starting team designed to offer Barcelona greater adaptability in their first La Liga match of the campaign.