Barcelona Vs Real Sociedad : Important Blaugrana Test At The Estadi Ol Maritimepic Llucures Companys

Ferran Torres, and Dani Olmo (left), his role is awaited for Barcelona (photo: x @FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Barcelona will continue their hunt for La Liga interim leader Real Madrid when they host Real Sociedad at the Estadi Ol promisempic LluOS Companys on Sunday night, September 28. Hansi Flick's team is currently in second place in the standings with 16 points from six matches only two points adrift of the eternal rival who will play against Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby the day before.

Barcelona's performance this season can be said to be very solid. They just got up from behind and turned things around in their 3-1 win over Real Oviedo on Thursday, September 25. Despite being left behind by the promotional team, Barcelona showed the quality and mentality of the champion by scoring three goals in return to secure victory.

In six La Liga matches this season, Barcelona won five wins and one draw. They also impressed in the Champions League by beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the group opener on 18 September. The next challenge in European competition is to host defending champions Paris Saint-Germain on 1 October, a match that will certainly start on Hansi Flick's focus radar.

Even though performance is high, the pressure to get the three points remains big for the Blaugrana. Given Real Madrid's perfect performance so far, even a little missing points can have a fatal impact on title competition. Therefore, the match against Real Sociedad is an important test to maintain the momentum of victory.

However, the opponents to be faced are not without history. Although last season Barcelona won 4-0 in the same match, Real Sociedad won two of their last five meetings with the Catalan team, including a shock 2-1 win at Camp Nou in May 2023.

On the other hand, this season has been a pretty disappointing start to Real Sociedad. With just five points from six games, La Real is currently slumped in 16th place in the standings. They started the season with two draws against Valencia and Espanyol, before swallowing three consecutive defeats to Real Oviedo, Real Madrid, and Real Betis.

A 1-0 win over Mallorca on Wednesday, September 24 slightly lifted the morale of Sergio Francisco's side, where Mikel Oyarzabal scored a single goal in the second half. But overall, Real Sociedad's performances have not shown that they are ready to compete at the top. After finishing in 11th place last season their worst ranking since 2018 they seem far from being consistent and solid.

History also does not side with Real Sociedad. Of the total 196 meetings against Barcelona in all competitions, they only won 38 times, lost 116 times, and drew 42 times. Since April 2016, only two wins have been won over the Catalan team, which emphasizes Barcelona's dominance in this duel.

From the team's fitness side, Barcelona got good news with the possibility of Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde returning to the squad. Both may not have started yet, but will most likely be given minutes to play in preparation for PSG. However, Barcelona had to lose Raphinha who was ruled out for three weeks due to a thigh injury. Joan Garcia also had to undergo knee surgery and would be sidelined for four to six weeks.

In addition, names like Fermin Lopez, Gavi, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are also still on the injury list. Hansi Flick will most likely rotate from the previous game. Players like Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kunde, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Casado, and Robert Lewandowski are likely to appear from the early minutes. Lewandowski himself scored as a substitute against Oviedo.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad cannot play Yangel Herrera and Orri Oskarsson with injuries, and Aritz Elustondo is still doubtful about appearing due to muscle problems. Even so, coach Sergio Francisco is predicted to retain the line-up that won over Mallorca. Takefusa Kubo will again be a mainstay on the wing, while Carlos Soler and Sergio Gomez will stand out in the last match will return to filling the midfield and left-back.

While Barcelona may save a little effort for an important match against PSG in the Champions League, they are still favorite to win at home. Real Sociedad is indeed able to provide resistance, but the quality and depth of the Barcelona squad is believed to be enough to secure three points and keep Real Madrid tight at the top of the standings.

Prediction Of Lineup

Barcelona (4-2-3-1):Szczesny; Kounde, Eric Garcia, Araujo, Martin; De Jong, Casado; Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Rashford; Lewandowski

Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Gomez; Kubo, Mendez, Gorrotxategi, Soler, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal

Score Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Real Sociedad