Barcelona’s La Liga title defence kicks off with a trip to Mallorca on August 16 as Hansi Flick aims to retain the trophy he secured in a dominant debut campaign.
The former Bayern Munich boss scooped a domestic treble in his first 12 months in charge as Clasico rivals Real Madrid were ruthlessly brushed aside.
Flick has tweaked his squad over the summer, with Joan Garcia joining from neighbours Espanyol, and a bold season-long loan move for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford also secured.
Both players have impressed in preseason, but the ongoing chaos over their La Liga registration had been hanging over Barcelona’s build-up to this game. Fans were also awaiting updates over Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury absence.
Club president Joan Laporta assured the Blaugrana faithful of Garcia’s involvement in Palma, but Rashford’s status was less clear until Saturday.
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Mallorca vs. Barcelona lineups: Starting XI, team news, injury latest
Mallorca’s summer business included a move to sign Pablo Torre from Barcelona and he’s in line to start against his former side.
Spain Under-21 international Mateo Joseph has also joined on loan from Leeds United, but key defender Pablo Maffeo is out with a hamstring issue.
Mallorca starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): 13. Roman (GK) — 2. Morey, 24. Valjent, 21. Raillo, 22. Mojica — 6. Sanchez, 8. Morlanes — 11. Asano, 10. Darder, 20. Torre — 7. Muriqi.
Injured: Maffeo (hamstring).
Suspended: Mascarell.
Barcelona’s sole absentee is captain Ter Stegen with the Germany international at the centre of swirling controversy in Catalonia. After initially rejecting Barcelona’s request to send his post-surgery medical report to La Liga, the veteran goalkeeper relented, and the club reinstated his captaincy.
The fact Ter Stegen has now officially been ruled a long-term injury absentee means Joan Garcia will be able to be registered thanks to the salary space freed up. The club also confirmed on Saturday that Marcus Rashford had also seen his registration confirmed, so both players will be in contention to face Mallorca.
Robert Lewandowski‘s muscle injury keeps the aging striker out of the opening match, while Fermin Lopez gets the nod at the No. 10 position over Dani Olmo. Interestingly, Eric Garcia starts at right-back over Jules Kounde, despite the Frenchman’s injury largely tanking their Champions League hopes last season.
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Barcelona starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): 13. J. Garcia (GK) — 24. E. Garcia, 5. Cubarsi, 4. Araujo, 3. Balde — 21. De Jong, 8. Pedri — 10. Lamine Yamal, 16. F. Lopez, 11. Raphinha — 7. Torres.
Injured: Lewandowski (hamstring), D. Rodriguez (shoulder), ter Stegen (back).
Suspended: None.
Mallorca vs. Barcelona match details
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m. local / 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT / 3:30 a.m. AEST (August 17)
- Location: Estadi Son Moix, Palma Spain
- Competition: La Liga
- Referee: – Jose Luis Munuera Montero
- VAR: – Jorge Figueroa Vazquez
