Eric Garcia is set to return to the Barcelona starting eleven wearing a protective mask for this weekend's match against Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia. The centre back, who suffered a broken nose in an accidental collision with Rodri at Mestalla last week, will play at right back in the side being prepared by Hansi Flick.
Five changes from the Feyenoord win
Joan Poqui, a journalist with Mundo Deportivo, has explained that the German coach fielded "a lineup with five changes from the previous match against Feyenoord" in the Champions League. According to the same analysis, "some of the players who rested against the Dutch side will return to the starting eleven", among them Gerard Martin and Xavi Espart, who regain their starting spots in defence.
In midfield, Rodri and Pedri will continue to direct play with Fermin Lopez ahead of them. Rodri has started in the last two matches, against Valencia and Feyenoord, while Pedri is on a run of four straight starts, three in LaLiga and one in the Champions League, after coming off the bench in the Elche game and playing the entire second half.
Lamine Yamal and Raphinha untouchable
Up front, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Anthony Gordon are expected to form the attacking trio. Gordon was not a starter against Feyenoord, when Adeyemi played instead, but he regains his place. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, by contrast, have started every match this season and are considered untouchable by Flick.
The fixture comes in an extremely demanding run for Barcelona, who between August 23 and September 19 will have played eight matches in 28 days, averaging one game every 3.5 days. After facing Levante, the Catalan side face a double week before the international break, with matches against Racing and Sevilla.
Levante arrive in good form
Levante sit 11th in LaLiga on 5 points after four games, with a record of one win, two draws and one defeat. Over their last five matches they have taken two wins, two draws and one defeat, following a 0-0 draw at Malaga on September 6. Before hosting Barcelona, the club is already preparing for its next league fixture, against Athletic Club, 10th in the table, on September 16, a match that can be checked on the fixtures page. The full table, with Barcelona top and seven points ahead of the Valencian side, is available on the standings page.
Eric Garcia, with no confirmed return date given, will complete his first training session with the mask on Saturday before the trip to the Ciutat de Valencia.
