FC Barcelona visits Rayo Vallecano this Thursday in what will be the third game of the 'Hansi Flick era' in LaLiga. The Blaugrana team will once again leave Barcelona, ​​after doing so 10 days ago with a victory against Valencia in their debut in LaLiga 2024-2025, against an always difficult rival who knows how to 'scrape' points from the Catalans in Vallecas. The Catalans have not managed to get three points at Rayo Vallecano's home ground for three seasons, with a balance of two defeats and a draw in the last three games.

After achieving two wins in the first two days, the Barcelona team hopes to maintain its invincibility and add 9 out of 9 in LaLiga. A difficult task, since the squad led by Iñigo Pérez also does not know defeat in the current edition of the local championship, recording one victory and one draw in their visits to Real Sociedad and Getafe, respectively. A 'trial by fire' for Flick's men, whose feelings are increasingly positive.

For Barça, the German coach will finally be able to count on the presence of Dani Olmo, who was able to be registered after having missed the first two games of the local tournament due to not being registered. However, the Blaugrana defence is 'depleted' in terms of players, since the absences of Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araújo have been added to that of Eric García, who will also not play due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. This is the Blaugrana XI against Athletic, with only a couple of changes with respect to the one presented in Montjuïc against Athletic Club.

Confirmed lineups for Rayo Vallecano-FC Barcelona

  • FC Barcelona's XI: Ter Stegen; Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo, Gerard Martín; Bernal, Pedri, Raphinha; Ferran, Lewandowski y Lamine Yamal.
  • FC Barcelona's bench: Peña, Balde, Pablo Torre, Fermín, Pau Víctor, Astralaga, Casadó, Héctor Fort, Olmo, Sergi Domínguez y Cuenca.
  • Rayo Vallecano's XI: Cárdenas; Pacha Espino, Lejeune, Mumin, Balliu; Unai López, Óscar Valentín, De Frutos , Álvaro García; Isi Palazón y Sergio Camello.

Hansi Flick has fielded a line-up with a couple of surprises for his visit to Vallecas. Marc Bernal remains installed as the team's pivot, with Ferran Torres continuing as the German's preferred option for the left wing. The Blaugrana coach has given Balde a rest and his place will be taken by Gerard Martín, while Dani Olmo will have to wait for his debut as a culé in official competitions from the bench.