“Mundo Deportivo”<\/a> has revealed the Catalan side’s expected line-up for the trip to the “Martinez Valero” stadium.<\/p>\nChampions in each of the last two seasons, Barcelona want a strong start to the defence of their title. The players who reached the advanced stages of the World Cup were handed an additional rest period.<\/p>\n
Hamza Abdelkarim’s situation<\/p>\n
Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim has a chance of starting against Elche, according to “Mundo Deportivo”, after firmly imposing himself during pre-season.<\/p>\n
Hamza tops Barcelona’s scoring charts in pre-season with 4 goals. That has put him firmly into Hansi Flick’s calculations ahead of the new campaign.<\/p>\n
The newspaper says he is competing to lead the attack as an out-and-out striker, given Flick could instead deploy Raphinha or Gordon in the “false nine” role.<\/p>\n
Yet the expected line-up published by the paper leaves Hamza on the bench. Gordon comes in as the centre-forward, while Raphinha and Lamine Yamal take up positions on the flanks.<\/p>\n
Rodri’s situation<\/p>\n
Rodri Hernandez will not feature against Elche, despite being officially registered with the team.<\/p>\n
The report explained that the Spanish midfielder has yet to take part in group training with Barcelona, needing more physical fitness after starting pre-season late.<\/p>\n
Rodri is expected to join the group tomorrow, Monday, with the date of his first appearance to be determined by his fitness.<\/p>\n
Joao Cancelo, another late arrival, should make the squad after two weeks of training with Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
Barcelona’s expected line-up<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia.<\/p>\n
Defence: Alejandro Balde, Gerard Martin, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia.<\/p>\n
Midfield: Marc Casado, Fermin Lopez, Marc Bernal.<\/p>\n
Attack: Raphinha, Gordon, Lamine Yamal.<\/p>\n
Elche’s expected line-up<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper: Dituro.<\/p>\n
Defence: Sanjari, Affengruber, Redondo, Chust, Valera.Midfield: Viar, Aguado.
Attack: Houari, Fer Nino, Sebida.<\/p>\n
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