Yamal out but Lewa is back for Barcelona
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Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 14.09.25. | 15:09
The Catalans will host Valencia in a 6000 seats stadium
Real are flawless so far in La Liga, but Barcelona are not. The Catalans slipped up before the international break in Vallecas against Rayo (1–1). Their chance for three new points and a good warm-up ahead of the Champions League start comes in the clash with Valencia. Camp Nou is still not ready to host matches, so Barca are forced to play at their small training complex, the Johan Cruyff Stadium, where the club’s B team usually plays. This venue only holds 6,000 spectators.
A problem for Hansi Flick is the injury to Lamine Yamal, who returned with knocks after Spain’s matches. The German criticized La Roja coach De la Fuente for the way he handled the young world football prodigy. The brilliant wunderkind wasn’t present at Barca’s last training session, and Flick has confirmed that he won’t play against Los Che, while his involvement in the Champions League opener in four days is also in doubt.
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The good news for Flick is that Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong has recovered from injury, although that doesn’t necessarily mean he will start against Valencia—he might be saved for the Champions League. Another positive update is that midfielder Marc Bernal has finally recovered from a serious knee injury after a year and will be on the bench for the first time. Before the injury, he was a regular starter for the Catalans.
Veteran Robert Lewandowski will play his 150th match for Barcelona tonight. He wasn’t a starter in the first three rounds due to muscle problems, but now he could get the nod. His numbers in 149 games for the Spanish champions are impressive: 101 goals and 20 assists. Against Valencia, he has scored seven goals in just five matches. Lewandowski is expected to start, with Ferran Torres shifting to the wing to replace Yamal, alongside the untouchable Raphinha. Marcus Rashford still hasn’t convinced Flick that he’s the right solution, so once again he will have to wait for his chance from the bench. Balde, Gavi, and German goalkeeper Ter Stegen remain sidelined.
LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 4
Friday
Sevilla - Elche 2-2 (1-0)
/Romero 28, Fernandez 85 - Silva 54, Mir 70/
Saturday
Getafe - Oviedo 2-0 (2-0)
/Martin 45+4, Mayoral 45+9/
Real Sociedad - Real Madrid 1-2 (0-2)
/Oyarzabal 56 pen - Mbappe 12, Guler 44/
Athletic Bilbao - Alaves 0-1 (0-0)
/Berenguer 57 og/
Atletico Madrid - Villarreal 2-0 (1-0)
/Barrios 9, Gonzalez 52/
Sunday
15.00: (1.75) Celta (3.95) Girona (4.85)
17.15: (3.45) Levante (3.40) Betis (2.25)
19.30: (2.50) Osasuna (3.15) Rayo Vallecano (3.00)
22.00: (1.23) Barcelona (7.50) Valencia (13.0)
Monday
22.00: (2.25) Espanyol (3.20) Mallorca (3.40)
***odds are subject to change***
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