Five Barça players will be out for Sunday’s La Liga matchup against Villarreal

The midfielder Pedri is anticipated to be out until at least the beginning of October after suffering a thigh injury at the conclusion of last week’s training session.

In addition to Raphinha, Ronald Araujo is out with a hamstring injury, and this is the second and final game of his two-game ban for receiving a red card in the season opener against Getafe.

Also missing is summer signing Inigo Martinez, who is currently nursing a foot injury and has not yet been officially registered with La Liga.

The goalkeeper, Inaki Pena, is the only starter whose paperwork is still waiting.

On the bright side, Barcelona finally got Marcos Alonso registered to play in La Liga, meaning the defender is officially part of the team for the first time this season.

Pau Cubarsi, a 16-year-old defender, is one of many younger players called into the squad as a result of injuries and suspensions. Also included are Fermin Lopez, Ander Astralaga, Diego Kochen, and Marc Casado.

Lamine Yamal, 16, may keep his starting place after starting in last weekend’s 2-0 victory against Cadiz.

Meanwhile, left defender Alejandro Balde has recovered from the knock he suffered on Friday and has been included to the squad.

Our ideas are similar to those of [Quique] Setien and Villarreal. In his pregame news conference, head coach Xavi warned that, “they are a very well-equipped team in midfield, they can dominate the game.”

We need to force them to give up the ball by pressing them in their own half of the field. Possession of the ball will be crucial.

Forward Ferran Torres is expected to stay at Camp Nou despite rumors to the contrary during the summer transfer window and will be among those hoping to start on Sunday.

Playing for Barcelona against Villarreal:

Casado, Romeu, Roberto, Yamal, Ter Stegen, Astralaga, Kochen; Christensen, Alonso, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde, Cubarsi; Toros, Lewandowski, Fati, and Ezzalzoul for Lopez, De Jong, Gundogan, and Gavi.