Barcelona begin title defense with trip to Elche

The back-to-back champions of La Liga begin a new season looking for a historic three-peat as Barcelona face Elche away from home in their first competitive match of the campaign. With the club's biggest names returning from a very short preseason, Hansi Flick's opening lineup is expected to look markedly different from the side we will see in a few weeks' time.

Defense: Garcia in goal, questions at the back

There will be no registration drama this summer as Barça have already registered every single signing with the exception of João Cancelo — who won't be ready for the opener anyway — to give Flick his entire first-team squad to pick from. The coach's choice will be based purely on player fitness after a very short preseason for the big names and more minutes for youngsters and reserves.

We know Joan Garcia will be in goal and that Andreas Christensen and Gerard Martín were the two senior center-backs with the most minutes in preseason, so the real doubt is about the full-back spots. Eric Garcia will be a full-time right-back this year and started in that position in the last two friendlies, so he is tipped to be picked ahead of Jules Kounde for this one.

Alejandro Balde played most of preseason and is the obvious choice for the left-back spot, but his future is currently in question and his presence in the lineup is not guaranteed. Balde could be left off the team if a move away from Camp Nou accelerates this weekend, which would mean a starting spot for 17-year-old Jordi Pesquer, who had an excellent preseason and already has Flick's trust.

Midfield: stars on the bench

Barça's midfield is absolutely stacked this season but Rodri, Pedri, Gavi and Dani Olmo have all had very little time on the training pitch and will probably begin this one on the bench. Flick is expected to start Marc Bernal as a single pivot, with Fermín López and Xavi Espart operating as fluid number 8s — the same trio that started the last two friendlies and a sensible pick to begin the season before the stars arrive in the second half.

Attack: new faces and a confident youngster

Barça's starting attack for the opener is also a big question mark given how little time Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon played in preseason. Raphinha had plenty of minutes in the friendlies and looks sharp enough to start on Sunday, but the other two spots will likely be occupied by new signing Karim Adeyemi on the right wing and Hamza Abdelkarim up top. The young striker was Barça's top scorer in preseason and is full of confidence, and his efforts should be rewarded by his coach with a spot in the XI against Elche.

Possible XI

Joan; Eric Garcia, Christensen, Martín, Balde; Fermín López, Bernal, Espart; Adeyemi, Hamza Abdelkarim, Raphinha (4-3-3)