Coach Hansi Flick confirmed the strategy to deploy Lamine Yamal before the major match against PSG at 02:00 on October 2nd (Vietnam time).
Barcelona aims for their fifth consecutive La Liga victory when they host Real Sociedad at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys this Sunday. Despite the upcoming crucial showdown with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Hansi Flick stressed that neither he nor his players intend to lose focus.
In the pre-match press conference, the German coach emphasized that Real Sociedad is the top priority right now. According to him, Barcelona must keep their momentum going and avoid complacency, especially since the season is still long.
Flick stated: “Real Sociedad follows a clear philosophy, possessing dangerous forwards and skillful players. This is an opportunity for us to showcase our quality. We are only thinking about the upcoming match. PSG will come later. Barcelona has won four matches in a row, and we want to extend that streak for our fans.”
One of the most closely watched updates is regarding the young star Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old player has fully recovered and is ready to play, but Hansi Flick mentioned that it is unlikely he will start against Real Sociedad. The Barca coach intends to use Yamal cautiously to help him regain match fitness and rhythm before the big game against PSG.
Flick said: “He will be included in tomorrow’s squad and will get a few minutes on the pitch. I see no signs indicating a risk of re-injury, although no one can be 100% sure. This is the right moment for his return.”
Using Lamine Yamal according to this plan is considered a strategic preparation, as Barca urgently needs creative sparks against a strong opponent like PSG, the current European champions.
Real Sociedad has only one win this La Liga season after defeating Mallorca midweek. Meanwhile, Barcelona is showing strong form with 16 points from 6 rounds. A victory over Real Sociedad would allow Hansi Flick’s team to surpass Real Madrid and top the table by one point.