Yamal Returns to the Pitch: Barcelona's Match Against Real Sociedad

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal is back. Barcelona faces Real Sociedad in LaLiga after missing four games with a groin injury, manager Hansi Flick said.

“Whether Lamine is on the bench or starting, the team is ready. Lamine will definitely get some...”

Lamine Yamal is set to return to the pitch for Barcelona's match against Real Sociedad on Sunday after missing four games due to a groin injury. The 18-year-old forward recently won the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, a prestigious award recognizing the world's best Under-21 player, and he's now looking to make an impact in Barcelona's upcoming fixtures.

Injury Update:

• Lamine Yamal: Recovered from groin injury, expected to play against Real Sociedad

• Raphinha: Sidelined for around three weeks with a hamstring problem

• Joan Garcia: Out for 4-6 weeks with a meniscus tear in his left knee

• Gavi: Long-term injury, expected to be out for up to five months

• Marc-Andre ter Stegen: Sidelined with back surgery recovery

Manager Hansi Flick has expressed confidence in Yamal's return, stating that he'll definitely get some minutes in the match against Real Sociedad, whether as a starter or substitute. Flick also mentioned that the team is working to address the issue of injuries and adapt to the challenges.

Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, expressed confidence in his team's readiness for the upcoming match, stating, “Whether Lamine is on the bench or starting, the team is ready. Lamine will definitely get some minutes tomorrow.” This comes as the club deals with a growing injury list, including forward Raphinha, who is expected to be sidelined for around three weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Summer signing Garcia, 24, had started every game this season. Marc-Andre ter Stegen remains sidelined following back surgery, so Wojciech Szczesny will take over in goal.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal are nearing their return to the team after recovering from hamstring and groin injuries, respectively. Flick is likely to give Lamine Yamal some minutes in the upcoming match, but the coach is cautious not to rush his players back from injuries.

“It's not good to have Joan Garcia absent, he was performing well,” Flick said of the keeper who made crucial saves in their 2-1 Champions League win over Newcastle.

“(But) when we look at the second half of last season, we see that we won almost every match with Szczesny. We won three titles with him. He's a great goalkeeper, a great person, and I have no doubts about him.

“We are also working on addressing the issue of injuries, and we see some reasons that might have led to the injuries. We are a big team, we review all cases and we have to adapt to this.”

Getting ready for #BarçaRealSociedad ⚔ pic.twitter.com/eFYv87BT4H

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 27, 2025

Barcelona remains unbeaten this season, while Real Sociedad had a tough start, winning only once in six league games. However, Sociedad snapped their three-game losing streak with a 1-0 home victory over Mallorca on Wednesday. They currently sit 16th in the league table with five points from six matches. Barcelona, on the other hand, tops the table with 16 points from six matches, having won five and drawn one. The two teams have a significant head-to-head disparity, with Barcelona dominating the rivalry, having won 116 matches out of 196 encounters, while Sociedad has managed 38 wins.

Lamine is magic 💫 pic.twitter.com/HoLJNEjDBa

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 27, 2025

Upcoming Matches:

• Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad: Sunday, September 29, LaLiga match
• Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain: October 1, Champions League match