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After a disappointing El Clásico defeat, Barcelona return to La Liga action with renewed determination as they host Elche on Sunday evening at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. This Matchday 11 fixture of the 2025–26 Spanish Primera División will be a crucial test for Hansi Flick’s men, who are eager to bounce back and keep their title ambitions alive.
A Must-Win Game After El Clásico Frustration
Barcelona’s 2–1 loss to Real Madrid last weekend left fans disappointed and widened the gap between the two giants to five points at the top of the table. Despite dominating possession for large portions of the game, Barcelona failed to capitalize on their chances — a recurring problem in their biggest matches this season.
Manager Hansi Flick, who took over this summer, now faces his first real pressure moment as Barcelona boss. Supporters are calling for a strong response, and a convincing win against Elche could be the perfect antidote.
Barcelona’s Current Standing
Heading into this match, the defending champions sit fourth in the table with 22 points from 10 matches — registering seven wins, one draw, and two defeats. While those numbers remain respectable, the overall performances have been inconsistent, especially in attack.
The absence of injured players such as Pedri and Frenkie de Jong has forced Flick to experiment with different midfield combinations, while Robert Lewandowski continues to search for his sharpest form in front of goal.
Elche’s Mission: Shock the Champions
On the other side, Elche CF arrive in Catalonia as clear underdogs. However, they have shown resilience this season despite being near the bottom half of the table. Manager Sebastián Beccacece has emphasized defensive organization and counterattacking efficiency as key weapons to frustrate stronger teams.
Elche’s forward Lucas Boyé and midfielder Fidel Chaves will be crucial if they are to pull off an upset. The visitors have nothing to lose and everything to gain from this encounter.
Tactical Preview
Flick is expected to field an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Gavi, İlkay Gündoğan, and Oriol Romeu controlling the midfield, while Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, and João Félix lead the line. Barcelona’s focus will be on breaking down Elche’s low block and avoiding defensive lapses during transitions.
Meanwhile, Elche are likely to sit deep, soak up pressure, and rely on set pieces or quick counters to exploit spaces left behind by Barça’s fullbacks.
Prediction and Final Thoughts
This match is less about tactics and more about mentality. Barcelona need to show character after their Clásico disappointment and prove they can dominate again in domestic play.
Predicted Score: Barcelona 3–0 Elche
A comfortable victory could restore confidence in Flick’s project and remind La Liga that the champions are far from finished in their title defense.