FC Barcelona Unveils Squad for Rayo Vallecano Clash Amidst Key Returns and Injury Concerns
FC Barcelona Unveils Squad for Rayo Vallecano Clash Amidst Key Returns and Injury Concerns
FC Barcelona is set to travel to Madrid for their third La Liga match of the season against Rayo Vallecano. Ahead of the anticipated fixture, manager Hansi Flick has announced his 23-player squad, featuring both welcome returns and significant absences.
Squad Reinforcements and Notable Absences
The Blaugrana squad sees the positive inclusion of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Gerard Martín, both of whom have been successfully registered for league competition and are available for selection. Their return adds depth to the team as they prepare for a challenging encounter.
However, Barcelona will be without several key players. Midfielder Gavi is sidelined due to discomfort in his right knee, with his availability for future matches dependent on his recovery progress. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen (back) and young talent Marc Bernal (knee) also remain unavailable due to injuries.
Roony Bardghji's Registration Woes Continue
A significant absence from the squad is young Swedish winger Roony Bardghji. Despite joining from FC Copenhagen in the summer, Bardghji has yet to make his competitive debut for Barcelona due to persistent registration issues. These problems are reportedly linked to the club's ongoing financial difficulties, preventing his inclusion in the La Liga roster. This marks the third consecutive league match he will miss, having also been unavailable for the victories against Mallorca and Levante.
"The report from MD confirms that Bardghji will not be included in the squad for the match at Vallecas," one article stated, highlighting the frustrating situation for the promising young talent.
Departures Finalizing and Predicted Lineup
Adding to the list of exclusions, Oriol Romeu and Héctor Fort are not included in the squad as they are reportedly finalizing their departures from the club. Meanwhile, the projected starting lineup for the crucial encounter is expected to be: Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsí, Eric, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; and Ferran Torres. This formation suggests a strong attacking intent from coach Hansi Flick.
Flick's Confidence and Opponent's Praise
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, manager Hansi Flick expressed confidence in his team's strong start to the season and their potential for continued improvement. "Hansi Flick expressed confidence in his team's strong start to the season and their potential for continued improvement," noted a report.
Interestingly, Rayo Vallecano manager Íñigo Pérez has openly admired Barcelona under Flick's leadership. Pérez praised Barcelona as "the La Liga team he most enjoys watching and aims to emulate." He went further to highlight young sensation Lamine Yamal, drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi due to the "feeling of helplessness" Yamal instills in opponents.
Other Club News: Women's Dominance and Transfer Rumors
In other club developments, the FC Barcelona women's team commenced their season with a resounding 8-0 victory against Alhama CF, showcasing their dominance with goals from Graham Hansen (2), Aitana, Pajor, Batlle, and Pina (3). This impressive win followed the official presentation of their 2025/2026 squad.
Transfer rumors continue to surround midfielder Fermín López. Reports suggest Chelsea has made an initial offer for the player. While López is reportedly keen to remain at Barcelona, he is said to be considering the offer due to the intense competition within the squad and Chelsea's appealing financial proposal. Additionally, winger Ansu Fati has hinted at his La Liga registration being imminent, while right-back Sergiño Dest will not feature against Rayo Vallecano as he is scheduled to play a friendly with the reserve team.
The match against Rayo Vallecano is scheduled to kick off at 9:30 PM CET in Barcelona, promising an exciting fixture as the Blaugrana aim to continue their strong start to the season.