A week after the Clasico lost to Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid (2-1), at the Bernabéu, Barça must absolutely revive when Elche, 8th in the La Liga standings, comes this Sunday afternoon at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, for the 11th day of La Liga. The Blaugrana are now eight points behind the Merengues, winners of Valencia on Saturday evening (4-0).
Hansi Flick has lost his collective leader. Pedri was excluded during the Clasico for two warnings but was mainly the victim of a muscle injury which will cause him to miss two weeks of competition. Bad news as Raphinha remains unavailable and Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski have just returned to training.
Attack unchanged for Barça
FC Barcelona will have to make do with yet another cast in the midfield to face Elche then Club Brugge in the Champions League and Celta de Vigo, in Galicia, on a last day of the championship before the November international window. Marc Casado will take the number 6 position alongside Frenkie De Jong, barring a surprise tenure from Eric Garcia. Andreas Christensen, sometimes used in front of the defense, is also injured.
In the offensive sector, Fermin Lopez will continue as number 10, with Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford on the wings and Ferran Torres up front. Lamine Yamal suffers physically, in the pubis and in one ankle. To see if the 18-year-old prodigy will be more impactful than against Real… Dani Olmo and Lewandowski will be able to come into play against Elche and claim a little more playing time during the two following matches.
In goal, Joan Garcia is preparing her return. Wojciech Szczesny therefore continues his temporary work.
