Mallorca v Barcelona match preview
After spending much of the middle of last season in a European qualification place, Mallorca have a chance to recover from a poor end to the campaign in style when they start at home to Barcelona in 2025/26.
The Pirates won two of their final 10 games and one of their last four home matches, finishing 10th and scoring more goals than only two teams in LaLiga.
“We’ve come off a few years of coming up short, whether in the Copa del Rey or La Liga, being one game away from Europe,” long-serving defender and captain Antonio Raillo told Mallorca’s website.
“But we’re going to take it game by game. The first objective is to stay in the [top] division, which I hope will be achieved soon.
“We have to do very well against Barca. We know they’re a top team in the world and that they’re much harder to beat than other teams.
“The fans have to know that we’re going to fight for it and give it our all. They have to give us that final burst.”
Hansi Flick guided Barca to LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup glory in his first season in charge and says his players are ready for Mallorca.
“I’m very happy with what I’ve seen in training,” observed Flick. “The team is working hard to improve every day.
“Winning three titles last year is not the end, it’s the continuation. We’ll give everything again this season.
“It’s always good to start with wins but the most important thing is to believe in how we want to play and keep our confidence. The road is long.”
When he was inevitably asked about Lamine Yamal, Flick added that he “doesn’t care” how many goals the inspirational 18-year-old scores.
“He’s training very well, on and off the ball, defending and pressing,” said Flick. “What matters is winning together.”
Mallorca v Barcelona team news
Portugal international Samu Costa is out for Mallorca with a left knee injury sustained in their 2-0 win over Hamburg on Saturday, according to AS.
Midfielder Omar Mascarell is suspended but forward Mateo Joseph, who has been prolific for Spain at Under-21 level, has joined on loan for the season from Leeds United.
Barca president Joan Laporta has said goalkeeper Joan Garcia and on-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford have been registered in time to play.
The pair had not been registered at the start of the week alongside back-up goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, left-back Gerard Martin and winger Roony Bardghji.
Last season’s top scorer, Robert Lewandowski, is expected to be out for weeks with a hamstring injury and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is expected to leave the club once he has recovered from back surgery.
Mallorca v Barcelona expected line-ups
Mallorca starting XI: Roman, Jaume, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica, Morlanes, Rodriguez, Torre, Darder, Asano, Joseph
Barcelona starting XI: Garcia, Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde, De Jong, Pedri, Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha, Torres
How to watch Mallorca v Barcelona: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Saturday is at 18:30 BST (13:30 ET / 10:30 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Premier Sports 2 and streaming available on a vast range of devices via the Premier Sports app.
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