Barcelona and Real Sociedad will aim to put Copa del Rey disappointments behind them when they meet in La Liga this weekend.
Barca played out an astonishing first leg to their semifinal against Atletico Madrid, falling 2-0 behind inside six minutes before taking a 4-2 lead that they threw away at the death as Marcos Llorente and Alexander Sorloth secured a 4-4 draw for Diego Simeone’s men.
Real Sociedad suffered a far more routine 1-0 home defeat to Real Madrid, with Enrick netting the only goal at the Anoeta.
Both teams are in European action against Benfica and Manchester United respectively next midweek and it will be interesting to see how much that comes into the thinking with three La Liga points on the line. Barca are top, ahead of Madrid on goal difference. La Real are ninth but only a point shy of Rayo Vallecano in the final European qualification spot.
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Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news
Aside from the considerable disappointment of the result, Barcelona came through the Atletico cup tie relatively unscathed. Robert Lewandowski came off the bench to score the fourth goal and will rotate back into the starting XI.
Fermin Lopez could also come in for Dani Olmo as Flick manages the workload of key players during a pivotal period at home and abroad. A report by Marca in midweek suggested Flick was unhappy with Frenkie de Jong’s defensive application against Atleti. This might ultimately be little more than Madrid-based mischief making, but Marc Casado could be due a start in central midfield in any case.
Centre-backs Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez were each on target in midweek but the fit-again Ronald Araujo has been an unused substitute for the past three matches and needs some game time.
Barcelona predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde — Pedri, Casado — Lamine Yamal, Fermin, Raphinha — Lewandowski
Injured: Ter Stegen (knee), Bernal (knee)
Suspended: None
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Igor Zubeldia is back from suspension but there are further disciplinary issues for La Real boss Imanol Alguacil, with Sheraldo Becker and Takefusa Kubo serving domestic bans this weekend.
Sergio Gomez is set to return on the left wing, with Javi Lopez likely to take on defensive duties on that flank.
Star men Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal are both ready to go, with the latter likely to start at centre-forward.
Real Sociedad starting lineup (4-5-1, right to left): Remiro (GK) — Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, J Lopez — Barrenetxea, Marin, Zubimendi, Sucic, Gomez — Oyarzabal
Injured: None
Suspended: Becker, Kubo
Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this La Liga match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
