Barcelona go begin their defence of the La Liga title on Saturday evening as dem waka go Estadi Mallorca Son Moix to face Mallorca for the opening weekend of the new season.
Hansi Flick and him Barcelona squad be the best team for Spain last season and dem still be title favourites again this year. As for Mallorca, dem dey plan to push for European qualification after dem finish 10th for last campaign.
Match Preview
Mallorca last season play 38 matches, win 13, draw 9 and lose 16. Dem finish 10th with 48 points, just four points behind Rayo Vallecano wey sneak enter Europe.
The Pirates dey enjoy their fifth straight season for La Liga and dis year dem wan push higher. Dem don add Pablo Torre (from Barcelona), Lucas Bergstrom and Mateo Joseph. But dem lose Jose Copete, Siebe Van der Heyden and Robert Navarro.
For pre-season, Mallorca play six games, win three including their last two against Poblense and Hamburger SV. But historically, dem dey suffer against Barcelona — dem don lose 14 of their last 15 La Liga meetings. The last time dem beat Barca na back in 2009.
Last season, Barcelona hammer dem 5-1 for this same fixture. The Catalans dey eager to start 2025-26 well, especially as Real Madrid no go play until Tuesday.
Barca no dey for Club World Cup this year, so dem get plenty rest before pre-season. Dem play four friendlies and win all — including a 5-0 bashing of Como for the Joan Gamper Trophy.
New signings include goalkeeper Joan Garcia, Marcus Rashford, and Roony Bardghji from Copenhagen. Last season under Flick, Barca win La Liga, Copa del Rey and Super Cup.
Dem also score over 100 goals in the league, with 18-year-old superstar Lamine Yamal still expected to carry the team attack.
Mallorca pre-season form:
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Barcelona pre-season form:
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Team News
Mallorca go miss Samu Costa because of injury. Apart from am, coach Jagoba Arrasate get full squad to pick from. Vedat Muriqi go lead attack, and new boy Pablo Torre fit start against him former club.
Sergi Darder and Takuma Asano dey expected for forward areas, while Morlanes and Omar Mascarell go control midfield.
For Barcelona, Marc-Andre ter Stegen still dey out with long-term back injury. Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski also be major doubts.
Some players never register yet — Joan Garcia, Rashford, Bardghji, Gerard Martin, Marc Bernal and Wojciech Szczesny — but Barca dey rush to fix am. If e clear, Garcia go start as keeper. Fermin Lopez and Ferran Torres dey line for starting XI too.
Mallorca possible starting XI:
Roman; Morey, Raillo, Valjent, Mojica; Morlanes, Mascarell; Asano, Darder, Torre; Muriqi
Barcelona possible starting XI:
Garcia; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha; Torres
Prediction
Mallorca get enough quality to disturb Barcelona and maybe score, but the Catalan giants still get too much firepower. Expect goals from both sides but Barca fit control am.
We say: Mallorca 1-3 Barcelona