Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Rayo Vallecano | La Liga

Barcelona resume the defence of their La Liga crown later today at Estadio de Vallecas as they take on Rayo Vallecano in Matchweek 14.

Ahead of the game, manager Xavi Hernandez has announced the starting XI that will be facing Vallecano away from home.

As has been known for a while now, Inaki Pena makes his first appearance of the season in goal, replacing the first-choice custodian Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is out with a back problem.

The Barcelona manager has gone with Andreas Christensen and Inigo Martinez as his starting centre-back pairing, giving Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo a rest.

Meanwhile, Joao Cancelo starts at right-back yet again despite his workload piling up whereas Alejandro Balde returns at left-back after being benched in the last game.

In a surprise move Frenkie de Jong starts in midfield even though it was suggested that the Dutchman could only feature for a few minutes after having just returned from an injury.

The 26-year-old will captain the side in the absence of Sergi Roberto, Ter Stegen and Araujo, and will have Pedri and Oriol Romeu as his partners in midfield, with Ilkay Gundogan getting benched.

In attack, Xavi has opted to go with the trio of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Ferran Torres. Fermin Lopez is on the bench.

𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐎́ 🔥#RayoBarça pic.twitter.com/rEOyMYKWsm

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_cat) November 25, 2023