Barcelona are set to welcome teenage sensation Lamine Yamal back into the squad for their La Liga clash against Girona on Saturday, offering a timely lift as Hansi Flick’s men look to recover from their crushing 4-1 defeat to Sevilla before the international break.
The Catalans have endured a turbulent period, with Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo both sidelined through injury, compounding the woes of a team that must regroup quickly before facing arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Clasico on October 26.
Midfielder Pedri González admitted that the loss in Seville was Barcelona’s “worst performance” since Flick took charge. However, there is some positive news for the Blaugrana, as Yamal and Fermin Lopez returned to full training this week and are expected to feature against Girona. Raphinha is also nearing a comeback after his recent layoff.
Yamal, who missed the Sevilla defeat and Spain’s World Cup qualifiers due to a recurring groin problem, is expected to start in the weekend’s Catalan derby. His return comes at a crucial moment, with Barcelona preparing for a packed fixture list that includes a Champions League tie against Olympiacos on Tuesday, followed by the Clasico.
Despite Yamal’s comeback, Flick still faces selection headaches, with Joan Garcia, Gavi, and Marc-André ter Stegen ruled out for the long term. The coach has limited room for rotation, and after the collapse at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, he has chosen to focus on restoring confidence rather than assigning blame.
“It’s one match and we lost it, and we have to keep going on,” Flick told reporters, commending his players’ improved effort in the second half following a disappointing first period.
The defeat in Seville was Barcelona’s first of the season, leaving them two points behind Real Madrid. Yet, it wasn’t their only poor outing—earlier in August, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Rayo Vallecano, prompting Flick to criticize the team for complacency after last season’s domestic treble.
“Ego kills success,” warned the German coach, aiming to refocus his squad’s mindset. His message seemed to work initially, as Barcelona went on a winning streak even in Yamal’s absence. However, when the young star picked up another injury against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, the team’s form dipped dramatically.
Last season, Barcelona also started strongly before a late-year slump in November and December allowed Atletico Madrid to leapfrog them at the top. Flick will be eager to avoid a similar decline, and facing 18th-placed Girona at the Olympic Stadium offers an ideal opportunity to get back on track.
With Camp Nou still under renovation and delayed in reopening, Barcelona continue to play their home games on Montjuïc hill. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who recently extended his contract until 2029, expressed his anticipation for the club’s long-awaited return home.
“I’m really looking forward to going back to Camp Nou, with all our fans,” De Jong said. “I don’t know the date, but we can’t wait.”
Elsewhere in La Liga, Real Madrid visit Getafe on Sunday, with hopes that Kylian Mbappé will be fit after his ankle injury. Villarreal, currently third, host Real Betis, while Atletico Madrid take on Osasuna.
Player to Watch: Luis Milla
Getafe midfielder Luis Milla has been instrumental for his side this season, registering five assists—the most in the Spanish top flight. His creativity will be vital if Getafe are to trouble Real Madrid in their local derby.
Key Stats
- 4: Liga matches in which Barcelona have conceded first
- 7: Matches unbeaten for Atletico Madrid
- 28: Yellow cards accumulated by Sevilla, the highest in La Liga
Fixtures (All times GMT)
Friday: Oviedo v Espanyol (1900)
Saturday: Sevilla v Mallorca (1200), Barcelona v Girona (1415), Villarreal v Real Betis (1630), Atletico Madrid v Osasuna (1900)
Sunday: Elche v Athletic Bilbao (1200), Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad (1415), Levante v Rayo Vallecano (1630), Getafe v Real Madrid (1900)
Monday: Alaves v Valencia (1900)
What You Should Know
Barcelona are under pressure to recover quickly after their first defeat of the season. The return of 17-year-old Lamine Yamal could spark fresh attacking energy as they prepare for a crucial run of fixtures, including the Champions League and the Clasico.
Despite ongoing injury challenges, Hansi Flick remains focused on rebuilding confidence and keeping the title race alive.
