The new La Liga season kicks off with an intriguing fixture as Mallorca hosts defending champions Barcelona at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on Saturday evening. Set to begin at 7:30 pm local time (17:30 GMT), this match promises to showcase the ambitions of both sides as Barcelona look to sustain last season’s exceptional success, while Mallorca aims to build on a solid mid-table finish.
Match Overview
Barcelona start their title defense following a remarkable 2024-25 campaign, where they secured the La Liga crown along with the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. The Catalan giants also reached the Champions League semifinals, heralding one of their most dominant seasons in recent memory. Mallorca, on the other hand, finished 10th last season and will be striving to cause an upset against one of Spanish football’s powerhouses.
Key Storylines: Barcelona’s Title Defense and Squad Changes
Under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, now entering his second year, Barcelona seek to continue their winning momentum. Their prolific attack from last season, which featured over 100 league goals, will look to be even stronger with the acquisition of Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United. Rashford’s registration status remains uncertain ahead of this match, but if cleared, he could battle Ferran Torres for a starting spot in the forward line alongside exciting talents like Lamine Yamal and the experienced Robert Lewandowski.
Meanwhile, the Blaugrana face some absences. Veteran goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is sidelined following back surgery and associated disagreements over his recovery process have added to the club’s challenges. Lewandowski is also expected to miss the opening games due to a muscle injury. Departures include defender Inigo MartÃnez, who joined Saudi club Al-Nassr, and winger Ansu Fati, loaned out to Monaco.
Mallorca’s Outlook and Team News
Mallorca enter the clash with a few injury concerns, notably the absence of defender Pablo Maffeo due to a hamstring tear. New signings Pablo Torre, formerly of Barcelona, and Mateo Joseph from Leeds United bring fresh energy to the squad. However, midfielder Omar Mascarell is suspended at the start of the season following a booking in the previous campaign’s final match.
Despite Mallorca’s relatively modest home record last season—achieving only seven wins in 19 home matches—they will be eager to capitalize on Barcelona’s early-season uncertainties.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Historically, Barcelona have dominated fixtures against Mallorca, winning 44 of their 75 encounters. Mallorca’s last victory over Barcelona dates back to May 2009, and since then, Barca have won 14 of their last 15 meetings. The previous season’s meeting ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Barcelona thanks to a goal from Dani Olmo, who is expected to feature prominently again.
Predicted Starting Lineups
- Mallorca: Greif; Morey, Lopez, Raillo, Lato; Sanchez, Costa, Torre, Darder; Muriqi, Joseph
- Barcelona: Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde; de Jong, Pedri, Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Torres, Raphinha
What to Watch For
Key factors in this clash will include Barcelona’s ability to maintain offensive fluidity despite the absence of Lewandowski and potential late registration of Rashford. The burgeoning partnership between youngsters Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo will be under scrutiny. Defensively, Mallorca will test Barcelona’s back line, especially with fresh additions seeking to prove themselves.
For Mallorca, the focus lies on exploiting home advantage and disrupting Barcelona’s rhythm, particularly aiming to block creative outlets like Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. The match could set the tone for both teams’ seasons and offer early hints at how the title race may unfold.
Fans worldwide can follow live text commentary and build-up coverage starting at 4:30 pm GMT through various sports media outlets.
As Barcelona aim to assert their dominance once more, Mallorca will be keen to spring a surprise on the opening weekend of La Liga. This eagerly anticipated showdown promises intensity, skilled playmaking, and drama — a perfect start to Spain’s top-flight football competition.
