Barcelona's Evolving Lineup Ahead of La Liga Opener

Hansi Flick did not need a press conference monologue to explain what the Joan Gamper Trophy really meant. Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Al Ahly was less about the scoreline and more about Sunday. Elche. La Liga. And the first real glimpse of his Barça.

The clues have been there all summer. His team sheets have been doing the talking.

A spine emerges

Fitness has dictated plenty of his choices. Several players who would normally walk into Barcelona’s strongest XI are still short of peak condition, and that reality has pushed Flick to lean heavily on those who have been available and sharp.

That has turned every friendly into an audition.

Some players have been almost ever-present. Others have been nudged into new roles, tested, stretched, and then tested again. The Gamper match followed the same pattern, but with one or two details that stood out more than the rest.

At the back, the picture is starting to harden.

Joan Garcia looks set to keep his place in goal. Flick has trusted him consistently, and nothing in pre-season suggests that will change against Elche.

On the right, Eric Garcia has gone from centre-back by trade to first-choice right-back under the new coach. His repeated use there is no accident; he has effectively claimed that spot for the league opener.

In the middle, Gerard Martin has quietly climbed the internal hierarchy. His performances have convinced Flick, and Andreas Christensen is expected to line up alongside him as the central pairing.

Alejandro Balde’s return in the Gamper Trophy was another important marker. His minutes against Al Ahly were not just symbolic; they could be the final step before a start at left-back on Sunday.

If the defence looks relatively settled, midfield feels even more defined.

Marc Bernal has been the constant. Flick has built around him as the central pivot, and that trust has only grown with each outing. Around him, Xavi Espart and Fermin Lopez have emerged as the two leading candidates to complete the trio.

This is no longer a vague experiment. Flick’s selections over the past weeks point clearly to Bernal–Espart–Fermin as one of his strongest, most likely combinations for the opening game.

All of which means one thing: Barcelona’s starting XI against Elche may look very different from the side most fans would name on paper once everyone is fully fit. Right now, form and availability trump reputation. Flick seems determined to reward those who have carried the workload all summer.

The big question up front

The real uncertainty lies in attack.

One thing is clear: Raphinha’s place is safe. The Brazilian has nailed down his starting role on one flank.

On the opposite side, the contest feels tighter. Karim Adeyemi has the advantage of rhythm and familiarity under Flick, having featured regularly throughout pre-season. But Lamine Yamal brings a level of talent that demands consideration. Leaving him out is never a straightforward call.

Then comes the most intriguing decision of all: the No. 9.

Hamza Abdelkarim has been Flick’s go-to striker in the friendlies. He has led the line more often than anyone else, giving the coach a reliable reference point up front. Yet the Gamper Trophy introduced a twist.

When Hamza went off against Al Ahly, Flick did not turn to another orthodox centre-forward. He slid Anthony Gordon into the middle.

That change may prove more than a simple in-game adjustment.

Flick has spent much of pre-season searching for different solutions at centre-forward, trying to find a profile that can adapt to various game states. Gordon’s move into the central role in such a showcase match suggests he is not just a stopgap on the wing, but a genuine alternative through the middle for Elche.

It does not automatically push Hamza out of the XI. What it does show is that Flick is willing to treat Gordon as a central reference point when the situation demands it.

Pre-season has done its job. A spine is in place, key roles are emerging, and one bold call in attack could define how Barcelona step into the new La Liga campaign.