FC Barcelona will be in action at the Spotify Camp Nou in a little over an hour as they take on Villarreal in Matchday 26 of the 2025/26 La Liga.
A victory will take the Blaugrana four points clear at the top of the table, and ahead of kickoff, manager Hansi Flick has announced the starting lineup that will take the field against the Yellow Submarine.
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The big news is that Alejandro Balde is back in the starting XI after being left out by Flick in the last two matches. He takes his usual spot on the left side of the defence, replacing Joao Cancelo.
Meanwhile, Jules Kounde continues at right-back, while Pau Cubarsi returns to partner Eric Garcia at centre-back, taking the place of the suspended Gerard Martin. Joan Garcia mans the Barça goal as usual.
Up ahead in midfield, Flick has opted not to risk Pedri from the start despite Frenkie de Jong’s absence through injury.
Instead, the Barcelona manager has opted for a midfield trident of Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo, and Fermin Lopez against Villarreal.
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Up top, Ferran Torres, celebrating his 26th birthday, replaces Robert Lewandowski as the striker, where he will be flanked by Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.