Barcelona Preps a Radical Shake-Up Against Levante as Ramadan Stars Hit the Spotlight
22 February 2026
The Expected Lineup Shift
Barcelona hopes to win today against Levante to reclaim La Liga's top spot from Real Madrid. Madrid had slipped to 60 points after a 2-1 loss at Osasuna in round 25.
If Barcelona prevail at Spotify Camp Nou, their tally will rise to 61.
Ramadan, Attack, and the Proposed XI
To get the job done, Sport newspaper in Catalonia outlined Barcelona's intended lineup for today, with Hansi Flick seeking balance.
The Spanish paper predicts a radical change, inserting defender Eric Garcia into midfield beside Frenkie de Jong to restore the defensive balance missing in the Girona game.
It also notes that Lamin Yamal, who will be fasting since the match falls during Ramadan, will lead the attack alongside veteran Robert Lewandowski and Rafinha, with Ferran Torres on the bench.
The full lineup reportedly is: Juan Garcia – Conde – Koubarci – Gerard Martinez – Balde – Eric Garcia – Frenkie de Jong – Lamin Yamal – Fermin Lopez – Rafinha – Lewandowski.
It also notes that Lamin Yamal, fasting, will lead the attack with Lewandowski and Rafinha, while Ferran Torres starts on the bench.
The Barça XI, according to the paper, would be: Juan Garcia – Conde – Kouparsi – Gerard Martin – Balde – Eric Garcia – Frenkie de Jong – Lamin Yamal – Fermin Lopez – Rafinha – Lewandowski.
Humor break: If football were a fasting menu, Barca’s starting XI would be the main course—let’s hope the dessert is a clean sheet. If formations could date, this one would be a Ramadan romance with a bench as the supportive wingman.
