Who can stop FC Barcelona at the start of the season? Irresistible in La Liga as in the Champions League, the Catalan club is experiencing a golden period. With 43 goals scored in 10 games, nothing seems to disturb this team. Raphinha has already scored 14 goals in just 8 games in all competitions and Lamine Yamal has 8 goals and 9 assists in 10 outings, to name but a few. We can always “blame” them that they have not yet had an opponent of their size. Patience…
Barça enters a decisive week. We must first go to Betis this Saturday (6:30 p.m.), a team which has had a perfect debut in the Champions League (2 victories) and in La Liga (3rd after 8 days). A victory would put even more pressure on the shoulders of Real Madrid, already relegated to 6 points in the standings, 8 days before the Clasico at Camp Nou (Sunday October 25, 9 p.m.). Suffice to say that the capital club could already be almost eliminated from the title race if things go badly.
Three major meetings in 8 days
Between these two La Liga matches will come the shock that everyone is waiting for in C1 at the Parc des Princes against PSG (Tuesday October 20, 9 p.m.). This is perhaps a match between the two best teams in the world currently, given the fitness levels of each. Of course, the outcome of this match will not really have an impact on the rest, but it is above all a question of prestige. Also be careful not to leave feathers there during this busy period. You will have to know how to manage everyone’s playing time.
If almost all the lights are green, Christensen and Bardghji are still absent. De Jong and Raphinha have returned to team training. The return of the Brazilian still requires special attention after his physical problems with the selection. “ If we ask him, he is ready to be a starter, but I have to take it step by step. On Thursday he trained with the group. He was good, but we have a lot of matches to play. It will be necessary to manage », Warned Flick at a press conference.
Raphinha monitored, Lamine Yamal plays a lot
Another case to watch, but more as a precaution than out of necessity, that of Lamine Yamal. The favorite for the Ballon d’Or has already had 851 minutes under his belt since the start of the season. He is the player with the most playing time in his club, far ahead of Joan Garcia and especially the other outfield players (Pedri played 666 minutes). Flick didn’t seem to worry, however. “ This is not an easy question, because he is a very special player. The most important thing is that he enjoys playing football, and that’s what he’s doing at the moment. But I also know that you have to manage your playing time. »
