Injury-hit Barcelona are expected to welcome back teenage star Lamine Yamal for Saturday’s La Liga clash with Girona, providing a timely lift as the Catalans aim to recover from a damaging 4–1 defeat to Sevilla before the international break.
With the first Clasico of the season looming on October 26, manager Hansi Flick is under pressure to steady the ship after the club’s worst performance under his leadership, according to midfielder Pedri.
Yamal missed the defeat in Seville as well as Spain’s recent World Cup qualifiers due to a recurring groin issue but returned to training this week alongside Fermin Lopez. Both are expected to be available for the derby at Montjuïc, while Raphinha is also closing in on a return.
Flick’s options remain limited, however, with long-term absentees Joan Garcia, Gavi, and Marc-André ter Stegen still sidelined. Adding to the crisis, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo picked up fresh injuries during the break.
The Sevilla defeat was Barça’s first loss of the season, but not their first troubling display. Earlier this campaign, they were held to a 1–1 draw at Rayo Vallecano—a performance that led Flick to publicly criticize the squad’s attitude following last season’s domestic treble.
“Ego kills success,” warned the German coach at the time, aiming to refocus his players’ mentality.
Despite a brief rebound that saw the team rack up several wins even without Yamal, their momentum faltered once again after his setback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, followed by the collapse at the Ramon Sánchez-Pizjuán.
Flick is eager to avoid a repeat of last season’s slump, when Barcelona’s strong start gave way to a disastrous November and December, allowing Atlético Madrid to leapfrog them in the standings.
Saturday’s match against 18th-placed Girona offers a chance to regroup and regain confidence before a packed schedule that includes a Champions League tie against Olympiacos on Tuesday and the Clasico next weekend.
The game will be held at the Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc hill, with the renovated Camp Nou still not ready to reopen amid ongoing delays.
“I’m really looking forward to going back to Camp Nou, with all our fans,” said Frenkie de Jong, who renewed his contract until 2029 this week. “I don’t know the exact date, but we can’t wait.”
Real Madrid face Getafe on Sunday, hoping in-form striker Kylian Mbappé can recover from an ankle injury in time for the Madrid derby. Villarreal, currently third, host Real Betis, while Atlético Madrid welcome Osasuna.
Player to Watch: Luis Milla
Getafe midfielder Luis Milla has been instrumental this season, providing a league-high five assists. If the underdogs are to trouble Real Madrid, Milla is likely to be at the heart of their efforts.
Key stats
- 4 – La Liga matches in which Barcelona have conceded first
- 7 – Unbeaten matches for Atlético Madrid
- 28 – Yellow cards for Sevilla, the most in the division
Fixtures (All times 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)
