Barcelona turn to Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon for Rayo Vallecano test

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has named an attacking starting line-up for Monday’s La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano, with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Anthony Gordon selected in the front three.

Barcelona’s team for the third round of the Spanish top flight includes Joan Garcia in goal and a defence of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Xavi Espart and Andreas Christensen.

Pedri, Dani Olmo and Marc Bernal make up the midfield, while Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon will lead the attack.

The complete Barcelona starting XI is:

Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Xavi Espart, Christensen; Pedri, Olmo, Bernal; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Anthony Gordon.

The announcement also confirms that young Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim will not start the match. He has been named among the substitutes alongside Karim Adeyemi, Rodri, Fermin Lopez and Joao Cancelo.

Abdelkarim’s position in the squad was the main point of interest surrounding Flick’s selection, but the teenager will begin the game on the bench as Barcelona look to continue their positive start to the league campaign.

Barcelona have taken six points from their opening two matches and are temporarily fifth in the La Liga table. Rayo Vallecano, by contrast, have collected one point and sit 16th before the meeting.

Flick has therefore opted for a line-up combining established players and attacking talent. Yamal and Raphinha retain their places in the forward line, while Gordon is also included from the start. Their selection gives Barcelona three direct attacking options against a Rayo Vallecano side aiming to improve its early league position.

The match is Barcelona’s third league fixture of the season and presents another opportunity for Flick’s side to build momentum. With six points already secured, victory would allow Barcelona to strengthen their position near the top of the table, while Rayo Vallecano will be seeking a result to move away from the lower positions.

For Abdelkarim, the game begins with a place among the substitutes rather than a starting role. He remains available to Flick alongside Adeyemi, Rodri, Fermin Lopez and Joao Cancelo should the Barcelona manager decide to make changes during the match.

The confirmed selection places the focus firmly on Barcelona’s starting attack, while also leaving the Egyptian forward waiting for his opportunity from the bench.