Barcelona and Real Sociedad are set to clash at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys this Sunday evening in a thrilling La Liga encounter that promises to be packed with drama and intensity. As the Catalans aim to close the gap with league leaders Real Madrid, La Real will look to build on their recent win and climb away from the relegation zone.
Match Preview: A Crucial Encounter
The match on September 28th marks a significant moment for both clubs. Barcelona currently sits second in the La Liga table, trailing Real Madrid by just two points. In contrast, Real Sociedad finds themselves struggling at 17th position with a mere five points from their first six matches. The outcome of this match could have far-reaching implications for both teams as the season progresses.
Last Meeting Recap
Their last encounter, held on March 2, 2025, saw Barcelona dominate Real Sociedad with a resounding 4-0 victory. Such a significant win adds an extra layer of pressure on La Real as they attempt to reverse their fortunes against the Catalan giants.
Barcelona Team News
Barcelona faces notable challenges regarding player availability. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia has recently undergone surgery on a meniscus injury and is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Garcia’s absence is a critical loss as he had been a consistent performer until his injury during the 3-1 win over Real Oviedo.
Adding to their woes, Marc-André ter Stegen is also unavailable due to a back injury, which means veteran keeper Wojciech Szczesny will make his first start of the season in goal. Barcelona’s injury list doesn’t end there. Brazilian winger Raphinha is set to miss about three weeks with a hamstring issue, further weakening their attacking options.
On a positive note, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal has returned to the squad after missing four matches with a groin injury. He recently won the prestigious Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony and could play a pivotal role in this match.
Midfielder Gavi remains a long-term absentee, having undergone knee surgery that will keep him out for up to five months. Additionally, Marc Casado is a doubt due to muscular discomfort experienced during training.
Real Sociedad Team News
On the other side, Real Sociedad has its share of injury concerns. Striker Orri Oskarsson is still sidelined with a muscle issue, while midfielder Yangel Herrera is expected to be out until mid-October. Defender Aritz Elustondo is doubtful after suffering a rib injury against Real Betis.
Despite these setbacks, the Basque side enters the match with renewed confidence following their first win of the season—a narrow 1-0 victory over Mallorca courtesy of a goal from captain Mikel Oyarzabal. Manager Sergio Francisco has indicated he will field his strongest available lineup in hopes of building on this small bit of momentum.
Recent Form: Barcelona
Barcelona, under the management of Hansi Flick, is in excellent form, having won six of their seven matches across all competitions this season. Their recent performance against Real Oviedo, where they fought back to win 3-1, showcases their resilience and determination.
The Catalans have proven to be an attacking powerhouse, scoring at least three goals in each of their last six La Liga victories. While playing at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, they have significantly benefitted from home advantage, winning nine of their last eleven La Liga matches there.
Defensively, Flick’s tactics have yielded notable improvements, as evidenced by Barcelona keeping clean sheets in five of their last nine league games. The manager recently achieved his 50th win with the club in just 67 matches, making him one of the most successful coaches in Barcelona’s history during this period.
Recent Form: Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad is navigating one of their worst starts to a La Liga season since their promotion to the top flight in 2010. The team has struggled with just two points from their opening five fixtures under new manager Sergio Francisco. Notably, their start is the third-worst of the 21st century, raising concerns about relegation if improvements are not seen soon.
However, their recent win against Mallorca provides a glimmer of hope that they can turn their season around. Given their struggles, especially away from home—having won just five of their last 22 away league matches, including a heavy 4-0 loss at this venue last season—society is under pressure to perform.
Predicted Lineups
Given the current injury situation, here are the likely formations for both teams:
Barcelona:
- Wojciech Szczesny; Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Ronald Araujo, Martin; Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casado; Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Marcus Rashford; Robert Lewandowski
Real Sociedad:
- Alejandro Remiro; Imanol Agirretxe, Mikel Zubeldia, Duje Caleta-Car, Diego Gomez; Takefusa Kubo, David Mendez, Gorrotxategi, Carlos Soler, Barrenetxea; Mikel Oyarzabal
How to Watch
Fans in the UK can catch the game live on Premier Sports 1, while coverage may vary in other regions depending on local broadcasters.
Final Thoughts
This clash isn’t just vital for the points; it symbolizes the contrasting directions in which both teams are heading. Barcelona looks set to continue their pursuit of La Liga supremacy under Hansi Flick, while Real Sociedad is in desperate need of points to assert their standing in the league.
As the match approaches, all eyes will be on how each side adapts to its respective challenges. With the stakes this high, it promises to be an enthralling spectacle that fans won’t want to miss.
