Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona will face each other this Sunday in LaLiga EA Sports 2025-26 at the Anoeta Stadium (21:00 CEST), for the twentieth matchday of the tournament. Hansi Flick's team arrives with two players out due to injury for the first game of the second half of the season.
We review the possible starting lineup, the substitute bench, and the injured and suspended players for Hansi Flick's Barcelona for the match against Real Sociedad. Complete analysis!
Possible Barça starting XI against Real Sociedad
- (#13, P) Joan García
- (#23) Jules Koundé
- (#24) Eric García
- (#05) Pau Cubarsí
- (#03) Alejandro Balde
- (#21) Frenkie de Jong
- (#08) Pedri
- (#16) Fermín López
- (#10) Lamine Yamal
- (#14) Marcus Rashford
- (#09) Robert Lewandowski
Barça Bench (substitute players)
- (#01, P) Marc-André ter Stegen
- (#25, P) Szczesny
- (#02) Joao Cancelo
- (#04) Ronald Araujo
- (#07) Ferran Torres
- (#11) Raphinha
- (#17) Marc Casadó
- (#18) Gerard Martín
- (#19) Roony Bardghji
- (#20) Dani Olmo
- (#22) Marc Bernal
- (#26) Jofre Torrents
Injured Barça Players
- (#06) Gavi
- (#15) Andreas Christensen
Suspended Barça Players:
- None.
Possible surprises and tactical variations from Flick against Real Sociedad
In principle, **Hansi Flick** plans to make several adjustments to his XI against Racing in the Copa del Rey round of 16. **Pedri and Fermín López** should return to midfield alongside **Frenkie de Jong**, while Eric García would drop back to the center of defense again. Robert Lewandowski could be the other new addition as a '9' against the team from San Sebastián
Goalkeeping and defense
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Joan García will be in goal, while Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde would be the full-backs. In the center of defense, Eric García and Pau Cubarsí should return to the axis. Joao Cancelo will be available on the bench along with Ronald Araujo. Ter Stegen returns to the bench with Szczesny.
Midfield:
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As a pivot, Frenkie de Jong is set to be Pedri González's partner in midfield, while Fermín López would be the team's attacking midfielder. Dani Olmo and Marc Bernal, starters against Racing, return to the bench. Dro Fernández is ruled out due to his imminent departure.
Forward:
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In attack, Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford would complete the Blaugrana attack alongside Robert Lewandowski. Raphinha is doubtful due to discomfort, while Roony Bardghji would return to the bench along with Ferran Torres.
Barça Absences: Which players will miss the match against Real Sociedad due to injury?
Currently, only two players are out due to significant injuries. Pablo Gavi is continuing his recovery after knee surgery and could return to action in mid-February. Andreas Christensen suffered a partial cruciate ligament tear before the trip to Villarreal and is expected to be out for four or more months.
Real Sociedad's Possible Lineup Against Barcelona
- Probable XI: Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Jon Martín, Sergio Gómez; Gorrotxategi, Soler, Brais Méndez; Guedes, Take Kubo, and Oyarzabal.
- Probable bench: Marrero (GK), Elustondo, Muñoz, Odriozola, Caleta-Car, Turrientes, Susic, Marín, Zakharyan, Barrenetxea, Óskarsson
- Injured: Yangel Herrera.
- Suspended: None.
The Real Sociedad, for its part, arrives at the duel against Barcelona with a majority of available players after eliminating Osasuna on penalties in the Copa del Rey round of 16. The team now led by **Pellegrino Matarazzo** has a couple of draws and one win (1-2 against Getafe) in the last three league matchdays, maintaining 12th place in the standings.
In principle, the San Sebastián team would come out with Remiro in goal and a defense made up of Aramburu and Sergio Gómez on the flanks, while **the Zubeldía-Martín duo** would return to the center. In midfield, Gorrotxategi will be the pivot, with Carlos Soler and Brais Méndez further forward. In attack, **Takefusa Kubo and Gonçalo Guedes** should accompany the eternal **Mikel Oyarzabal**
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