Barcelona are finally ready to begin their 2026/27 La Liga campaign, and Hansi Flick already has some huge selection calls to make as the champions prepare to face Elche at the Martínez Valero on Sunday. The clash will be Barça’s first league outing after their opening fixture was postponed.
The biggest mystery is sitting right at the top of the pitch. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres no longer available, Flick has confirmed that he already knows who will start as his No. 9, but he has deliberately kept the identity under wraps. 👀🔥 He has even hinted that supporters could be in for a surprise.
One predicted XI has Joan García between the posts, with Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and Alejandro Balde forming the defensive unit. In midfield, Pedri and Marc Bernal could be trusted to control the tempo.
Further forward, the attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Fermín López and Raphinha offers plenty of creativity, pace and unpredictability. And then comes the BIG question… who gets the No. 9 shirt? 😮💨🎯
One projection has Hamza Abdelkarim leading the line after the teenager impressed during pre-season, scoring four goals and pushing himself firmly into Flick’s plans.
Another predicted lineup puts Anthony Gordon through the middle, while Karim Adeyemi is also an intriguing option after impressing during pre-season. The competition for attacking places is already looking fierce. 🔥⚡
🧤 Joan García
The summer arrival is expected to start in goal as Flick begins his first-choice goalkeeper project for the new campaign.
🛡️ Koundé, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín & Balde
Barcelona’s defence could see some interesting adjustments. Cubarsí is still building back to full fitness following the World Cup, meaning Flick could manage his minutes carefully. Koundé remains a crucial defensive figure, while Balde provides the attacking thrust from the left.
⚙️ Pedri & Marc Bernal
With Frenkie de Jong ruled out through injury and Rodri still being assessed, midfield could look very different from the one Barça supporters eventually expect later in the season. Rodri has trained with the group and is reportedly close to returning, but his involvement against Elche remains a question.
🎨 Yamal, Fermín & Raphinha
This could be where the fireworks begin. 💥
Lamine Yamal enters the campaign as one of Barcelona’s biggest attacking weapons, while Fermín offers energy and late runs into dangerous areas. Raphinha, meanwhile, remains capable of causing chaos from wide areas or even drifting centrally when Flick wants a more fluid attack.
Barcelona’s pre-season already showed that Flick is willing to experiment with his front line, including using Raphinha in a false-nine role.
🎯 The No. 9 Mystery
This is the position everyone is watching. 👀🔥
Will Flick trust Hamza Abdelkarim after his impressive pre-season? Could Anthony Gordon be used centrally? Or does the German coach have another surprise waiting?
Flick has made it clear that he wants competition within the squad, and with several new attacking options available, nobody can take their starting place for granted.
Barcelona have also won their last 10 meetings with Elche, adding another layer of confidence as they begin their title defence.
My preferred XI: 📝
🧤 Joan García
🛡️ Koundé
🛡️ Cubarsí
🛡️ Gerard Martín
🛡️ Balde
⚙️ Pedri
⚙️ Marc Bernal
🔥 Lamine Yamal
✨ Fermín López
⚡ Raphinha
🎯 Hamza Abdelkarim
The stage is set. The new season is here. And with Flick keeping the No. 9 decision secret, Barcelona fans could be in for a serious surprise when the official lineup drops! 😳🔥🔵🔴
Barça fans, what changes would YOU make to this XI? 👀👇
