Bad News for Barça: Two Key Absentees Ahead of Real Sociedad Clash

After a spectacular 5-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League, FC Barcelona is gearing up for a challenging away fixture against Real Sociedad in La Liga. However, the Catalan side may be without two key players for this important match, adding to the pressure on coach Hansi Flick and his squad.

Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal Uncertain for the Match

According to Mundo Deportivo, one of the major doubts is Dani Olmo, who was absent from training on the eve of the match against Real Sociedad. The Spanish international, who recently joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig, is reportedly dealing with an undisclosed illness, making his inclusion in the squad uncertain. While it hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, it’s not ruled out that Olmo could still make the matchday squad, depending on his recovery in the coming hours. If he is unavailable, it would be a significant blow for the team, as Olmo has quickly become an important attacking presence for Barcelona this season.

Lamine Yamal: Another Key Doubt

The other major uncertainty surrounds the young prodigy Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old forward has also been dealing with fitness issues, as he was spotted training separately in the gym instead of with the main squad. While the exact nature of his condition hasn’t been disclosed, this suggests that he is not yet fully recovered from a previous injury. If Yamal is unable to feature, it would be another setback for Barcelona, particularly given the teenager’s impressive performances this season. His absence would leave a significant gap in Barcelona’s attack, especially considering his creative flair and ability to make a difference on the wing.

A Lengthy Injury List Already

Barcelona’s injury woes don’t end with Olmo and Yamal. Coach Hansi Flick will have to cope without several other key players for the trip to the Reale Arena. First-choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is sidelined due to injury, while central defender Andreas Christensen is also unavailable. Barcelona will be without winger Ferran Torres, defender Ronald Araujo, and centre-back Eric Garcia, further reducing their options in both defense and attack. Additionally, young player Marc Bernal is also out of action. These injuries leave Barcelona with a significantly weakened squad, and it will be up to the remaining players to step up.

Real Sociedad: A Tough Test Awaits

Barcelona will face a tough challenge in San Sebastián, as Real Sociedad has traditionally been a difficult team to beat at home. With so many key players unavailable, the pressure will be on Barcelona’s remaining talents to perform at their best and maintain their competitive edge in La Liga. The home side will be eager to exploit Barcelona’s weaknesses, particularly in defense, where the absence of several regular starters could leave spaces for Sociedad’s attacking players.

A Crucial Test for Hansi Flick

For coach Hansi Flick, this series of absences comes at a critical point in the season. After a strong Champions League performance, Barcelona will need to quickly shift focus back to La Liga, where their performances have been more inconsistent. Flick will have to show tactical flexibility, adjusting his plans to cope with the absences and make the most of the players available. It will be a test of his coaching acumen as he attempts to field a competitive side despite the setbacks.

With multiple key players unavailable and some uncertainty surrounding others, Barcelona’s depth will be tested in the coming days. The next few hours will be crucial for Flick and his team, as they aim to avoid another setback at the Reale Arena and keep their momentum going in La Liga.