Barcelona’s new-look XI faces first La Liga test at Elche

Barcelona begin their new La Liga campaign away to Elche on Sunday, with Joan Garcia expected to start in goal and manager Hansi Flick facing decisions in three key positions.

The match at the Martinez Valero will be Barcelona’s first competitive appearance in the Spanish top flight this season, as Flick begins the club’s latest attempt to challenge for silverware.

Barcelona have registered their new signings Joao Cancelo, Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon, making all three available for the visit to Elche. However, Pedri has not yet taken part in full team training and, according to Flick, will not rejoin his team-mates until Monday.

Bissouma will also miss the game because of an administrative issue, despite being registered with Barcelona’s reserve side.

Hamza Abdelkarim is not included in the expected starting line-up, while Flick’s main selection questions concern the centre of defence, left-back and the left wing.

Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen are competing for the place alongside Gerard Martin in central defence. There is also a decision to make at left-back, while Gordon and Adeyemi are challenging for the left-wing role.

The rest of the Barcelona side appears more settled, with Joan Garcia set to take his place between the posts. Eric Garcia, Christensen, Gerard Martin and Cancelo are expected to form the defensive line in front of him.

Xavi Espart, Marc Bernal and Fermin are tipped to make up the midfield, with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon chosen in attack.

The expected Barcelona line-up is therefore:

Joan Garcia; Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo; Xavi Espart, Marc Bernal, Fermin; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Anthony Gordon.

Barcelona will face an Elche side likely to make only limited changes from the team that started their opening fixture against Deportivo. That match finished 1-1.

Elche will be without Yago de Santiago and Adam Boayar, who are both unavailable because of injury. Their expected side is led by goalkeeper Dituro, with Victor Chust, Redondo and Affengruber in the defensive unit.

Sangare, Marc Aguado, Gonzalo Villar and German Valera are expected to operate in midfield, while Ali Houary, Cepeda and Victor Nino are set to form the attacking line.

The expected Elche line-up is:

Dituro; Victor Chust, Redondo, Affengruber; Sangare, Marc Aguado, Gonzalo Villar, German Valera; Ali Houary, Cepeda, Victor Nino.

The game gives Flick an early opportunity to assess several of Barcelona’s new options in a competitive setting, while the German coach must settle the remaining places before his side’s first league match of the season.