Barcelona complete registration of summer recruits

La Liga giants Barcelona on Saturday registered the final member of their summer recruitment drive for action in Spain's top flight, just in time for the Blaugrana's opening fixture of their title defence. Hansi Flick's side get their 2026/27 campaign underway on Sunday evening with a trip to Elche at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.

On Friday, sporting director Deco and his staff managed to register Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi and Rodri with La Liga in time to face Elche. That left only João Cancelo to be made eligible in Blaugrana colours – and 24 hours before kick-off, the Portuguese duly appeared on La Liga's official website as a registered player.

Flick provides fitness update on Cancelo and Rodri

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Flick offered clarity on the two most recent arrivals. The coach said the Portuguese full-back is fit enough to be involved despite only a couple of days with the squad.

"[Cancelo] could play tomorrow, he's ready and, in my opinion, he has a fantastic technique, he has a lot of passion and he gave us a lot in the position he played in," Flick said. "He was always in the right position at his best level. He helped us a lot."

Barcelona fans will have to wait a little longer to see Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner and Spain World Cup-winning captain who opted to join Barca over rivals Real Madrid, in action. The Spain captain will only join group training on Monday as he recovers from minor back surgery and a vacation.

"Rodri trained a little on the pitch, our plan is for him to arrive on Monday to be with the group," Flick explained. "I'm glad he's here, he's a leader, a fantastic player with a great personality."

'There might even be a surprise tomorrow'

Following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barcelona's leading centre-forwards last season, there has been plenty of discussion over their replacements – or lack thereof. The Blaugrana were heavily linked with Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez throughout the summer, though a deal now appears unlikely, with Atletico boss Diego Simeone confirming on Saturday that the Argentine will remain at the Metropolitano.

Despite the lack of a recognised striker in the squad, Flick remains confident in the options available to him, while also praising the work of Deco.

"We have many options within the team," the Barca boss said. "Of course, I know who will play. There might even be a surprise tomorrow. I'm not worried that we haven't signed a No. 9 yet. I don't like to talk about players from other teams.

"Deco and I talk every day. It's all about the team and the club. Only Deco, I, and a few other people know exactly what we want. He is doing a fantastic job.

"There have been a lot of changes in the squad, but sometimes it's good to change things in the dressing room. That way, everyone is aware of it. We've brought in top-level players, and the quality is higher. In the end, this is a competition, and everyone is competing to play. This makes the players stronger, helps them improve, and makes the team grow. That's how titles are won. It's a privilege to be able to train every day with this enormous quality.

"I told the players that the quality is very good, but tomorrow the important stuff starts. We have to get off to a good start and with a win."

Form and prediction

Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 11 away league games against Elche (W8 D3), winning each of the last five – their longest such run against the club in the Spanish top flight. The Blaugrana have lost their opening La Liga match in just one of their last 17 campaigns (W14 D2), a 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in August 2019. Flick's side have also gone 35 La Liga matches without a draw (W29 L6), their longest such run in the competition.

Elche, held to a 1-1 draw by Deportivo de A Coruna on Tuesday, are unbeaten in their last seven league matches at the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero (W4 D3). Win probability favours Barcelona at 67.6%, with the draw at 18.7% and Elche at 13.8%.

Players to watch: Elche midfielder Marc Aguado has been directly involved in three goals in his last 12 La Liga matches (two goals, one assist), while Barcelona's Lamine Yamal has found the net in both of his two league appearances against Elche.