How Barcelona will line up in 2024-25

Cameron Smith

15 Aug 2024 14:00 BST
3 min read

Lamine Yamal, Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona — © IMAGO

Barcelona are firmly the second best team in El Clasico, but they will have ambitions of knocking Real Madrid off their perch.

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Xavi has left his post as Blaugrana head coach and former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick has been appointed as his replacement.

The German will be expected to deliver results on their pitch, while Barca will also prioritise an attractive, tiki-taka style of football.

Girona’s Pau Victor is the only new arrival so far this summer, with Barcelona so far banking on their current crop of players.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through Barcelona’s predicted starting XI for the 2024-25 LaLiga season.

How Barcelona will line up in 2024-25

Marc-Andre ter Stegen isn’t fancied by some sections of Barcelona fans, but he remains the club’s number one and he will not be replaced this summer.

Jules Kounde will have to settle for a regular right-back role, despite preferring to play at centre-back, with Ronald Araujo partnering the talented La Masia graduate Pau Cubarsi at the heart of defence.

Joao Cancelo has returned to Manchester City following his loan spell at Barca, meaning Alejandro Balde will likely resume first-choice left-back duties.

Frenkie de Jong will be utilised in a deep-lying midfield role, while Pedri, Gavi and Ilkay Gundogan will fight for the remaining two spots in the middle of the park.

Pedri and Gundogan are in line to be rewarded with a starting berth due to Gavi’s ACL injury.

Spain wonderkid Lamine Yamal is only 17 years old, but he is a regular for both club and country, and he will be a key contributor under Flick.

Meanwhile, Barca look set to miss out on Nico Williams, who is now likely to remain at Athletic Club until at least 2025 - although Dani Olmo could soon arrive from RB Leipzig.

As a result, Raphinha is currently in line to start as the club’s left winger next season, but Olmo will displace him if he seals a Camp Nou return.

Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the Blaugrana.