Match Guide Elche-Barça of League: schedule, where to watch it and lineups
The reigning league champion starts the season with the objective of revalidating the title
BarcelonaThe League returns for the reigning champions, Barça. After months of waiting, Hansi Flick's team officially begins the 2026-27 season, the third under the German coach's command. It will be this Sunday (9:30 PM) at Elche's stadium in the match corresponding to the second matchday. The Blaugranas will play the first matchday of the competition next Thursday (9:00 PM) against Athletic Club, a match postponed due to the large number of Barça players present at the World Cup final.
The path to revalidate the League title begins for a renewed team. Hansi Flick will be able to count on all the new signings; Rodri, Adeyemi, Gordon, and Cancelo, after they have been registered in time. However, the coach has confirmed that Rodri will not travel to Elche for the league debut. On the other hand, the coach has not expressed concern about the absence of a new player in the squad and has highlighted the good form of Hamza Abdelkarim, the team's top scorer in preseason.
For their part, Elche arrives after earning their first point of the season at Deportivo de la Coruña's stadium (1-1). The Alicante team, managed by the Argentine Martín Anselmi, secured their permanence in La Liga on the last matchday after drawing at Montilivi, a result that sent Girona down to the Second Division. The Valencians will seek to strengthen themselves at the Martínez Valero, which was key last season, with only two home defeats.
Barça will be without Frenkie de Jong —who is suffering from a tear in the internal lateral ligament of his right knee— and Roony Bardghji —with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee—. Jesse Bisiwi will also not be present, still unregistered due to bureaucratic issues. In contrast, Anselmi regains attacking midfielder Grady Diangana, but will not be able to count on either Adam Boayar or Yago de Santiago.
Time and venue of the Elche-Barça match
The match will be played this Sunday at 9:30 PM at the Martínez Valero (Elche).
Where to watch today's match (television)
The duel between Catalans and Valencians can be watched on television through the Movistar platform on the LaLiga TV Bar and M+ LaLiga channels. It can also be followed live minute by minute on ARA.
Probable lineups for the match
FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Christensen, Gerard Martín, Balde; Marc Bernal, Xavi Espart, Fermín; Lamine Yamal, Gordon and Raphinha.
Elx (3-4-3): Dituro; Affengruber, Redondo, Chust; Sangaré, Villar, Aguado, Germán Valera; Neto, Buonanotte and Fer Niño.
Referee: Alejandro Quintero González (Andalusian Committee) and Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (Balearic Committee) on VAR.