To open the 28th day of La Liga, FC Barcelona hosts Mallorca at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium (kick-off 9:00 p.m., match to follow on FM). In a series of seven matches without defeat, FCB, third with 58 points, is preparing its round of 16 second leg of the Champions League against Naples (Tuesday 9:00 p.m., 1-1 in the first leg) and can put pressure on Girona ( 2nd, 58pts) and Real Madrid (1st, 66pts) in case of success. For their part, the Mallorcans, 15th with 27 points, are eight units ahead of Cadiz, first relegated, and are qualified for the final of the Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao.
For this meeting, Xavi, suspended just like Araujo, is deprived of Alonso, Baldé, De Jong, Ferran Torres, Gavi and Pedri (injured) and still blows away Lewandowski who starts on the bench. Cubarsi is lined up at the back with Inigo Martinez and Kounde and Cancelo on the sides. Chistensen will evolve as a sentinel in the middle with Gundogan and Raphinha since Guiu starts in attack with Lamine Yamal and Joao Felix. Javier Aguirre, coach of Mallorca, also has his absentees. Maffeo and Valjent are injured while Mascarell is suspended. The Mexican opts for a 5-3-2 with size up front as he pairs Larin with Muriqi. Darder, formerly from Lyon, starts in midfield with Samu and Morlanes. Behind, Nastasic is present as well as Rajkovic in goal, former Reims goalkeeper.
The official compositions:
FC Barcelona : Ter Stegen – Koundé, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Cancelo – Gundogan, Christensen, Raphinha – Yamal, Guiu, Joao Felex.
Majorca: Rajkovic – Gonzalez, Copete, Raillo, Nastasic, Lato – Darder, Samu, Morlanes – Muriqi, Larin.
