FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will make changes to his first XI, allowing one star player to make his La Liga debut when the Catalans travel to Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday evening.

Barça have made an excellent start to the 2024/25 season in the Spanish top flight, with two 2-1 wins in their opening two games.

Flick admitted at a pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon that he would of course be delighted if his men could achieve a perfect 100% result ahead of the international break in early September.

Until then, Barça will face Rayo in Vallecas, before hosting Real Valladolid at the Montjuic stadium on Saturday. Real Madrid lost 3-0 to Real Madrid a few days ago.

“It’s always the goal,” Flick said. “Win the games and get the points. We’re going step by step: now we’re focusing on Rayo and that’s how we’ll manage it.”

When put to him that Barca had failed to win in their last three attempts at Rayo – with a defeat in 2021 leading to the sacking of club legend Ronald Koeman – Flick insisted: “I don’t look back, I work in the present.”

“We’ve started the season well and what we need to do is continue to improve. I know it’s a special stadium, smaller than the rest, and we’re going to win the game,” the German added.

In the last 24 hours, both teams have been cheered by good news regarding new signings. Colombian legend James Rodriguez has joined the home side and although he was bought from RB Leipzig almost three weeks ago for around $60 million, Dani Olmo has finally been provisionally registered until December 31.

With Ferran Torres keeping his place, the 2024 Euro winner will not immediately play in the attacking midfield role behind number 9 Robert Lewandowski.

Raphinha takes the CAM position, with Ferran and Lamine Yamal to his left and right respectively.

Further back in a double pivot are Marc Bernal and Pedri, who excelled in last week’s win over Athletic Club, while the defence remains much the same.

The goal of captain Marc-André ter Stegen is protected by a defensive line consisting of debutant Gerard Martin, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Jules Kounde from left to right. The five of them hope to keep the first clean sheet of the season.

FC Barcelona starting team vs. Rayo Vallecano: Ter Stegen; Gerard, Inigo, Cubarsi, Kounde; Pedri, Bernal; Ferran, Raphinha, Lamine; Lewandowski