Official: Barcelona starting lineup against RCD Mallorca | OneFootball

Barcelona will aim to extend their unbeaten run in La Liga to seven games this season when they face off against RCD Mallorca at Son Moix in a couple of hours. And, the Catalans have released their starting lineup for the encounter against Javier Aguirre’s side.

Given the number of injuries, changes were always going to be made by manager Xavi Hernandez. And the Barcelona head coach has made a few surprise selections for the starting lineup.

For starters, Gerard Pique makes a rare start at the heart of the Barça defence, pairing up alongside Andreas Christensen, who will guard Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.

In a major call, Xavi has started both Alejandro Balde and Jordi Alba, and one would presume that one among the two left-backs, likely the former, will slot in as a right-back. Eric Garcia has been left out on the bench by the manager.

Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets occupies the pivot position in the centre of the park. He will be flanked by Gavi on one side and summer signing Franck Kessie on the other, with Pedri being benched.

In attack, there are no surprises as Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele feature as expected while Ansu Fati makes his second start of the season.

Raphinha is on the bench along with young Pablo Torre and Marc Casado, who has been called up as a backup right-back from Barcelona Atletic.

Barcelona Starting XI: Ter Stegen, Balde, Christensen, Pique, Alba, Kessie, Busquets, Gavi, Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati.