FC Barcelona are raring to have a go at RCD Mallorca in their upcoming league clash at the Iberostar stadium in the Balearic Islands. With not too long left to go, Barcelona and Xavi Hernandez will be prepared to launch their offensive on Javier Aguirre’s side and attempt to take away all three points.
Currently sitting on top of the La Liga table, Barcelona will do whatever it takes to ensure that they retain their lead in first position if they can manage to come away with a victory this time around.
As the match fast approaches, FC Barcelona has officially unveiled their starting XI to deal with RCD Mallorca, and it is one that sees a few interesting tweaks made to the typical XI that Xavi Hernandez tends to start.
In goal, as always, is German goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen. The Barcelona captain may have conceded two goals last time out against Celta Vigo, but had it not been for his heroics in the game, the Blaugranes may have conceded even more goals and that memorable comeback would not have been possible.
The Barcelona defense sees the flanks covered by in-form Portuguese star Joao Cancelo, the hero of the comeback against Celta Vigo, as well as the ever-electric Spanish youngster Alejandro Balde on the right and left respectively.
Centrally, the defense is comprised of Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo who makes his first start since recovering from an injury, and the first-time Barcelona starter Inigo Martinez. The inclusion of the Spaniard was hinted at by Xavi in his pre-match press conference and it seems that he will take over the position typically led by French defender Jules Kounde.
The midfield sees veteran Oriol Romeu reprise his role as the primary pivot of the team while his Barcelona teammates, Gavi, and Ilkay Gundogan, take on the positions of interiors in light of the recent injury to Dutch maestro Frenkie De Jong.
Lastly, the frontline sees a significant change take place. Spanish forward Ferran Torres takes over from Robert Lewandowski as the primary center forward while his flanks remain more or less unchanged, with Joao Felix remaining on the left while Brazilian winger Raphinha gets a much-awaited start for Barcelona once again.
