FC Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad: Flick's men go for the La Liga lead

FC Barcelona returns to action in LaLiga 2025/26 this Sunday against Real Sociedad (6:30 PM CEST). Hansi Flick's team returns to the Lluís Companys in Montjuïc for their third home match of the season, being the first game at the Estadi Olímpic since May of this year (2-3 against Villarreal) and with an ideal setting.

After Real Madrid's tough derby loss to Atlético (5-2), the *culés* depend on a victory to regain the league lead. Facing them will be Real Sociedad, who have only accumulated 5 points out of a possible 18 in the tournament. The challenge, however, will not be easy for Barça.

As in the last four matches, the *azulgranas* arrive with several significant injury absences. In addition to the long-term absences of Ter Stegen and Gavi, along with Fermín López, the team will not be able to count on Raphinha or Joan García, who will be out of action until mid and late October, respectively.

• 📺 Where and when to watch the match: the channels broadcasting Barça-Real Sociedad WATCH

Barça goes for the lead and their sixth victory in LaLiga

Furthermore, the *culés* will have only 69 hours of rest after Thursday's visit to Real Oviedo (1-3). The *azulgrana* team has played six matches in the last 15 days and still has another league match (Sevilla) and a Champions League match (PSG) before the next international break.

However, at Can Barça there is total confidence in the possibility of achieving another victory, their sixth in seven matchdays, against Real Sociedad. The *azulgrana* team comes from a tough comeback against Oviedo with three goals in the second half and remains the league's top-scoring team, with 19 goals (3.16 per game).

Similarly, Barcelona remains undefeated in the league, something that only Elche currently boasts (2 wins and 4 draws). Flick's team only dropped two points at Vallecas against Rayo (1-1) and this year only fell to Villarreal in Montjuïc (2-3) with the 24/25 title already secured.

• *Champions League Match
• S: Venue
• H: Home
• A: Away

The San Sebastián team, for their part, only managed to win in the previous matchday (1-0 against Mallorca) and remains close to the relegation spots. For now, Sergio Francisco Ramos's team has accumulated 5 points after one victory, two draws, and three defeats, with only 6 goals scored and 9 conceded.

In the league, the 'txuri urdin' have not defeated Barça away from home since 22/23 (1-2), a result that also occurred with the *culés* celebrating a league title at Spotify Camp Nou. Last season, at Montjuïc, the Basques were thrashed (4-0), while in San Sebastián there was a narrow home victory (1-0).

Barça recovers Lamine Yamal against Real Sociedad

Lamine Yamal in a match with Barça

For the match against Real Sociedad, Hansi Flick will have to make several adjustments due to injuries and the proximity of the Champions League clash against PSG (Wednesday, October 1, also in Montjuïc). The first novelty will be the return to goal of Wojciech Szczesny. The Pole returns to the starting lineup in the league four months later, taking advantage of Joan García's injury.

On the flanks, Jules Koundé should also return to the lineup, while Gerard Martín remains as a left-back. Alejandro Balde could receive medical clearance in time for LaLiga matchday 7, but in that case, he will be on the bench.

In the center of the defense, adjustments may again occur, although the Araujo-Cubarsí pairing looked better in the visit to Oviedo. Eric García was the MVP at the Carlos Tartiere and has been a starter in the first six league matchdays. The panorama in midfield is much clearer, with Frenkie de Jong returning to the XI to accompany Pedri and Dani Olmo.

The Dutchman came on at halftime in Oviedo for Marc Casadó, who is doubtful for Sunday due to muscle discomfort. In attack, Robert Lewandowski should also return to the XI, probably in place of Ferran Torres as the main striker. Marcus Rashford will also continue to start, while Lamine Yamal returns after three weeks out with pubalgia.

The '10', however, could be on the bench alongside Roony Bardghji, although he will certainly get minutes to try to reach a good level for the PSG visit. Before his injury, the Mataró native scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists in the first three matchdays of LaLiga.

• ℹ️ Lineups: the possible starting XIs of FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad: VIEW

Mixed fortunes for Flick's Barça with injuries

Raphinha will be out for three weeks due to injury
 

In that sense, Barcelona had a mixed week regarding injuries. In contrast to the good news of Lamine and Balde's returns, the *azulgrana* infirmary added two new members. Fortunately, neither with serious problems.

Raphinha will be out for three weeks due to an injury to the middle third of his right hamstring. With this, the '11' would reappear after the October international break, on Saturday 18 against Girona. Joan García's absence will be a little longer.

The player from Sallent underwent an arthroscopy on his left knee which confirmed an injury to the internal meniscus. Once the area has been operated on, the goalkeeper will be out for four to six weeks, making it very likely that he will miss the first Clásico of 25/26 against Real Madrid, on Sunday, October 26.

Thus, Joan and Rafa join an infirmary that already had three members. Fermín López suffers an injury to his left iliopsoas muscle that will keep him out of action until after the next international break.

The situation with Gavi is much more complex. The midfielder will be out for 4 to 5 months after undergoing another surgery on the internal meniscus of his right knee. Along with Ter Stegen, the '6' is a long-term absentee, although the German still hopes to receive medical clearance this year. The Andalusian, however, must wait until February-March 2026 to return.

• 📋 Squad List: Barcelona's squad list for the match: VIEW

Real Sociedad also arrives with several absences in Barcelona

Sergio Francisco Ramos's team, for their part, arrives at the match against Barcelona with four absences and at a difficult moment in the season. The San Sebastián team still cannot count on Aritz Elustondo, Yangel Herrera, Iñaki Rupérez, and Orri Óskarsson, all four injured.

In that sense, the 'txuri-urdin' team, currently seventeenth in the standings with just 5 points, would take to Montjuïc with Remiro in goal and a back four consisting of Aramburu and Sergi Gómez on the flanks, while the central defensive pairing of Igor Zubeldia and Caleta-Car would remain in the XI.

In midfield, Gorrotxategi and Pablo Marín will be in charge of containment, with Brais Méndez and Barrenetxea a little further forward. Upfront, Gonçalo Guedes and Mikel Oyarzabal will try to hurt Barça's defense, although the Basques have only averaged one goal per game so far.

In their last visit to Montjuïc, Real suffered a 4-0 defeat back to San Sebastián, in a match conditioned by Elustondo's early sending off. Previously, in 23/24, Barça also won clearly (2-0) and, in the last decade, the balance is largely favorable to the *culés* with 9 wins and only 1 defeat (in 2023).

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