Barcelona face a familiar test this Sunday as they return to the Estadi Olimpic on Montjuïc, with Real Sociedad the visitors for the seventh game of the Liga season.

The fixture comes just three days after the trip to Oviedo, a match that brought fresh injury headaches for Hansi Flick, losing both Joan García and Raphinha. Unsurprisingly, fitness dominated the build-up, with the German coach admitting the start of the campaign has been far from straightforward.

“These things can happen and we have to adapt,” said Flick. “It’s a challenge, but we’ve got a fantastic squad and we’re focusing on that. We can only control what’s in our own hands. We don’t want to worry about who’s missing. The players available will do a great job.”

That includes Wojciech Szczęsny, restored to the starting XI in García’s absence. “It’s bad news not to have Joan, because he’s been excellent,” Flick acknowledged. “But Tec is a top keeper, he proved that last season, and I’ve got no doubts about him.”

Great game ahead

The brighter news is the return of Lamine Yamal, fit again after missing the last few outings. “We all believe it’s the perfect moment for Lamine to come back,” Flick confirmed. “We’re delighted to have him available against Real Sociedad. If he’s on the bench, that means he’s ready for minutes.”

As for Sunday’s opponents, Flick isn’t fooled by their shaky start. “Despite the change of coach, Sergio Francisco has kept the essence of Real Sociedad. They like to build from the back and in attack they’re technical, quick and clever. It’ll be a great game.”

And for Flick, focus is everything: “We always concentrate on the next match and the next match is Real Sociedad. After that we’ll think about PSG.”

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Hansi Flick 'focused on the players that are able to play'

 

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