Who: Mallorca vs Barcelona
What: Spanish La Liga
The place: Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Mallorca, Spain
When: Saturday at 7:30pm (17:30 GMT)
Learn how to observe: We’ll have all of the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 4:30pm (15:30 GMT) prematurely of our reside textual content commentary stream.
Barcelona start their defence of their La Liga title on Saturday after flying to the island of Mallorca.
The Catalan membership disposed of their fierce rivals and winners of the earlier yr’s title, Actual Madrid, on all fronts final season.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a have a look at the primary main match of the brand new La Liga season and what clues there could also be as as to if Barca will give Actual a glimpse of hope within the title race this time round.
How dominant have been Barcelona final season?
The Catalan membership is coming off certainly one of its finest seasons in years, having gained the league, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. It additionally went deep within the Champions League, reaching the semifinals for the primary time since 2019.
How massive a job will Marcus Rashford play at Barcelona?
In its second yr underneath coach Hansi Flick, the Catalan membership will attempt to add to its success from final season by boosting its squad with Marcus Rashford on mortgage from Manchester United. He can be teaming up with Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski in an attacking entrance that was probably the greatest in Europe final season.
It led the scoring charts each within the Spanish league – with greater than 100 objectives – and within the Champions League.
With Lewandowski set to miss the start of the new season, Rashford will vie with Ferran Torres for a spot in Barca’s assault.
After Rashford fell down the pecking order at Previous Trafford, his transfer to Barcelona presents an enormous likelihood to rebuild his profession.
What different adjustments have Barcelona made?
Leaving the workforce are veteran defender Inigo Martínez, who has signed with Saudi membership Al-Nassr, and Ansu Fati, who went on mortgage to Monaco after not enjoying a lot final season.
What number of La Liga titles have Barcelona gained?
Final season’s title was Barcelona’s twenty eighth trophy elevate in La Liga. Actual Madrid are the report winners with 36 victories to their identify.
Has Mallorca ever crushed Barcelona?
Sure. The Spanish islanders have gained 17 of their 75 conferences. Barca, nonetheless, have gained 44 of the encounters.
The place did Mallorca end final season?
Mallorca squeezed into the highest half of La Liga final season with a Tenth-placed end.
Just one workforce had a worse house report among the many prime 12 groups final season after Mallorca recorded solely seven wins in 19 league matches in entrance of their very own crowd. Six of these video games resulted in defeats.
What occurred the final time Barcelona met Mallorca?
Barca narrowly beat Mallorca 1-0 at home of their final assembly in April. Dani Olmo scored the one aim within the first minute of the second half to settle the La Liga match.
The corresponding fixture resulted in a 5-1 win for Barca with Raphinha netting twice.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick’s prematch ideas
“We’re working arduous to face this new season. Profitable three titles final yr shouldn’t be the top – it’s a continuation. We’ll give every part this yr.
“Lamine Yamal nonetheless has room to enhance. I like what I’m seeing. He’s coaching very nicely, with and with out the ball, defending and urgent.”
Head-to-head
Mallorca haven’t defeated Barcelona since Might 2009 – a 2-1 house win in an end-of-season affair in La Liga.
Barca, in the meantime, have gained 14 of their final 15 matches in opposition to Mallorca in all competitions.
Mallorca workforce information
Pablo Maffeo can be closely missed in defence as a result of a hamstring harm.
Pablo Torre is ready to begin in opposition to his former aspect, having joined from Barcelona in the summertime window. Spain Beneath-21 worldwide Mateo Joseph can also be in line to characteristic, having joined on mortgage from Leeds United.
Omar Mascarell has a suspension hanging over from final season after his reserving within the last sport of the final La Liga marketing campaign.
Barcelona workforce information
The Catalan membership begins the season with out veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to surgical procedure for decrease again issues.
The goalkeeper was at odds with the membership about his restoration time. He was provisionally stripped of his captaincy for refusing to signal a medical report concerning the harm, however he and the membership ultimately reached an settlement that restored his function as captain.
Veteran striker Lewandowski additionally isn’t anticipated to play early within the new marketing campaign due to a muscle challenge. Rashford’s registration after his mortgage from Manchester United has proved problematic, much like the monetary points that held up Dani Olmo’s participation final season.
Mallorca predicted beginning lineup
Greif; Morey, Lopez, Raillo, Lato; Sanchez, Costa, Torre, Darder; Muriqi, Joseph
Barcelona predicted beginning lineup
Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde; de Jong, Pedri, Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Torres, Raphinha
