Barcelona are set to welcome teenage sensation Lamine Yamal back to action against Girona on Saturday, offering a timely boost to Hansi Flick’s injury-stricken side as they look to recover from a heavy defeat and gear up for the El Clasico showdown with Real Madrid.
The Catalan giants were thrashed 4-1 by Sevilla before the international break — their first defeat of the season — and must regroup quickly with key players sidelined and Real Madrid looming on October 26.
Midfielder Pedri González described the loss in Seville as Barcelona’s worst performance under Flick, and the squad’s troubles have since deepened with injuries to Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo.
However, there was good news this week as Yamal and Fermin López returned to full training and are expected to feature against Girona, while Raphinha is also close to regaining fitness.
Yamal missed the defeat to Sevilla and Spain’s World Cup qualifiers due to a groin issue but is likely to play a role in the Catalan derby, which will be held at the Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc Hill as renovations at Camp Nou continue.
Flick remains short on options, with Gavi, Joan Garcia, and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen still out injured. Nevertheless, the German coach urged calm after the Sevilla loss.
“It’s one match and we lost it, and we have to keep going on,” Flick said, commending his team’s improved second-half display despite a disastrous opening 45 minutes.
Barcelona sit two points behind league leaders Real Madrid and cannot afford another slip. Flick previously warned his players against complacency following a sluggish draw at Rayo Vallecano earlier in the season, cautioning that “ego kills success.”
After that wake-up call, Barça went on a winning run even without Yamal, until his Champions League injury against Paris Saint-Germain preceded the heavy defeat in Seville.
Flick will be eager to prevent a repeat of last season’s mid-season collapse, which saw Atlético Madrid overtake Barcelona after a bright start. Facing 18th-placed Girona offers a chance to regain momentum before a packed schedule that includes a Champions League tie with Olympiacos on Tuesday and the much-anticipated Clasico the following weekend.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who renewed his contract until 2029 this week, expressed excitement about returning to Camp Nou once the stadium’s redevelopment is complete. “I’m really looking forward to going back to Camp Nou with all our fans,” he said. “I don’t know the date, but we can’t wait.”
Weekend Fixtures (GMT):
Friday: Oviedo v Espanyol (19:00)
Saturday: Sevilla v Mallorca (12:00), Barcelona v Girona (14:15), Villarreal v Real Betis (16:30), Atlético Madrid v Osasuna (19:00)
Sunday: Elche v Athletic Bilbao (12:00), Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad (14:15), Levante v Rayo Vallecano (16:30), Getafe v Real Madrid (19:00)
Monday: Alavés v Valencia (19:00)
Key Stats:
-
4: Liga matches in which Barcelona have conceded first
-
7: Matches unbeaten for Atlético Madrid
-
28: Yellow cards for Sevilla — the most in La Liga
Player to Watch: Luis Milla (Getafe) — The midfielder has provided five assists this season, more than any other player in La Liga, and will be crucial if Getafe are to trouble Real Madrid in Sunday’s derby.
Comments are closed.