Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal Set to Make Return Against Real Sociedad
Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal is poised to rejoin the squad for the LaLiga showdown with Real Sociedad this Sunday, following a four-match absence caused by a groin injury, as confirmed by manager Hansi Flick.
Yamal’s Remarkable Achievement
The 18-year-old forward recently achieved a significant milestone, securing the Kopa Trophy during the Ballon d’Or gala on Monday. This accolade marks him as the first player to clinch the title of the world’s best Under-21 player for two consecutive years.
Manager’s Comments
Flick expressed confidence in Yamal’s contribution, stating, “Whether Lamine is on the bench or starts, the team is prepared. He will certainly see some playing time tomorrow.”
Injury Update
The current injury situation for Barcelona includes:
- Raphinha: Expected to be out for about three weeks due to a hamstring injury.
- Joan Garcia: Missing from the lineup.
- Gavi: Also sidelined.
Newly acquired goalkeeper, Garcia, 24, has been a regular in the squad this season. However, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen still recovering from back surgery, Wojciech Szczesny is set to take charge in goal.
Flick commented on the impact of Garcia’s absence, saying, “It’s unfortunate to lose Joan, as he has been in great form.” He also noted Garcia’s key role in their recent Champions League victory over Newcastle.
Reflecting on Szczesny’s capabilities, Flick stated, “During the latter half of last season, we achieved almost all our wins with Szczesny in goal. He helped us secure three titles. He is an excellent goalkeeper and individual, and I trust him completely.”
He added, “We are actively looking into the injury situation and identifying factors that may be causing these issues. As a prominent team, we must analyze each case and adapt accordingly.”
Current Standings
Barcelona remains unbeaten in the current season, while Real Sociedad has encountered challenges, securing just one victory in their last six league matches and experiencing three consecutive losses prior to their recent 1-0 victory over Mallorca.
