Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Mallorca

With as many as 15 COVID tests between Barcelona and Mallorca, Xavi was as surprised as the fans that the game was not postponed. Consequently, he has had to call up ten youth team players in a squad list of 21 — of which eight are centre-backs.

That said, though, he has chosen his starting XI for this game, which pretty much matches everyone’s guess. Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia line up at the base of the defence, flanked by Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza on the right and left respectively. Marc-Andre ter Stegen starts in goal.

In midfield, Riqui Puig gets a much-awaited start. All eyes will be on him tonight as Barcelona lack proper attacking options. He partners Frenkie de Jong and Nico Gonzalez in the midfield trident.

Barça XI#MallorcaBarça pic.twitter.com/3YvGhEl3KI

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 2, 2022

Up ahead, Luuk de Jong gets a start against most fans’ wishes. This could be the game he has been looking for to earn more trust from the Camp Nou faithful and coach alike. B teamers Ferran Jutgla and Ilias Akhomach start on the wings, with the former likely taking up the left side.

Confirmed Barça XI (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Araujo, Pique, Eric, Mingueza; Nico, de Jong, Puig; Ilias, Luuk, Jutgla