Three talking points ahead of RCD Mallorca vs Barcelona | La Liga MD1 | OneFootball

After a stellar pre-season with explosive goalscoring and supremacy in terms of domination, Barcelona finally stare at their first game of the new season.

Now stronger and sharper than last season, they will look to dominate competitions as they did and progress deep on all fronts. The difference this time, however, is that they are more clearly labelled favourites.

The first La Liga clash of the season sees Barcelona play away from home as the Spotify Camp Nou nears completion, and it is Mallorca who play host to them on Matchday 1.

Having finished tenth last season with just 13 wins in 38 games, they will put up a tough fight as they look to go one step better this time around.

Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of RCD Mallorca vs Barcelona.

Title defence begins

Barcelona took home the La Liga title with two games to spare last season after a roller coaster title race between them, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Their poor run in November saw them pegged back briefly, but a sensational run after the winter break saw them leave their competition behind them. Now, the champions return to action for the first time in the new season, and will push to defend their crown.

After all, they are back with key areas addressed and a squad more competitive than the one they had last time around. As such, there is a lot of excitement brewing ahead of its commencement.

Their pre-season tour gave fans good reason to be optimistic about the team’s chances across competitions, although they will have the favourites tag quite firmly this time around.

Repeating the domestic treble from last season will be a great accomplishment in itself, but the UEFA Champions League will likely remain the Catalans’ top priority as the campaign kicks off.

Getting off on the right foot is key, and that will be the goal against Mallorca tomorrow night – to make a statement of intent and announce their return as one of Europe’s best teams.

The defensive dilemma

Araujo to partner Cubarsi in defence? (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Two of Barcelona’s four defenders have their names written in stone at this point – Alejandro Balde and Pau Cubarsi – and both players will start against Mallorca with certainty.

The right-back and remaining centre-back positions, meanwhile, are not as clear, albeit to different extents.

Jules Kounde would appear to be the better-placed player to start at right-back, especially after his stunning run and adaptation to the position last season. While he may even be considered a bona fide starter, Eric Garcia’s rise in the position cannot be discounted.

The Spanish defender began playing as a right-back after Kounde’s injury late last season but has grown significantly in recent months. His attacking output, positional awareness and defensive solidity make him a versatile option good enough to be a starter.

Hansi Flick even gave Garcia the start against Como at the weekend over Kounde, and it is clear that the Spaniard is now seen as a serious competitor. Ahead of the league opener, the manager must make his pick between the two.

At centre-back, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen both make strong cases to start but also arrive with their own sets of flaws. While the former is not as adept in the offside trap and with his distribution, the Dane lacks speed, which is key in the high defensive line.

A massive decision thus awaits the manager as he must pick his preferred candidate to partner with Cubarsi. Notably, even Jules Kounde has a remote chance of playing at centre-back should Garcia be the starting right-back.

Choosing the No. 9

Ferran likely to replace Lewandowski. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Robert Lewandowski, at 36 years of age, still appears to be at his fittest best and was sharp in preseason, giving hope that he can keep up his goalscoring rate this season.

Given his age, however, his fitness and minutes have to be managed with more caution, and his early injury in preseason highlights the same.

The player’s recent blow saw him miss the Gamper Trophy match, and he will miss the opening game of the league season. His absence tomorrow thus necessitates the need for a stand-in No. 9.

Flck sees Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford as his options in the centre-forward role, and he must choose between the two as he prepares his first lineup of the new season.

Torres has played as Lewandowski’s backup for a while now and has significantly improved since he first played in the position. While his movements in the box and combination play are remarkable, however, he slightly lacks in terms of pace and the killer instinct.

Rashford, meanwhile, has been out of action for a while now and is recovering his match fitness day by day. As he showed in pre-season, he is a few weeks away from returning to his efficient best, while his selection remains subject to successful registration.

Flick’s choice as to who joins Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in the front, needless to say, will play a big part in deciding the result and efficiency of the team in front of the goal.