On Sunday, Barcelona will be aiming to ensure that they remain top of La Liga when they host Real Sociedad at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic. Both teams, who were in Copa del Rey action this midweek, are in the middle of a very busy schedule, and at such, the fixture could be used as an opportunity to rotate players ahead of European games next week.
La Real will already be without Takefusa Kubo and Nayef Aguerd for the trip to Catalonia as both players triggered an automatic one-match suspension for the match after picking up yellow cards in last weekend’s victory over Leganes. And on top of this, head coach Imanol Alguacil could use the fact that this fixture is one that they are expected to lose as an opportunity to make further alterations.
According to Sport, La Real are considering resting key players against Barcelona in order to ensure that they are at 100% for next Thursday’s Europa League round of 16 first leg against Manchester United at the Reale Arena.
Martin Zubimendi, who continues to attract significant transfer speculation for the summer transfer window, is one of the players in line to be benched against Barcelona, with Imanol concerned about fatigue with the 26-year-old pivot. If this does happen, his replacement would be Benat Turrientes.
Meanwhile, club captain Mikel Oyarzabal may also be afforded a rest at the Estadi Olimpic, given that he is one of the players that carries an increased injury risk. He will be a definitive starter against Man United, and it would also afford Orri Oskarsson the chance to make a rare start in La Liga.
Barcelona would certainly be pleased if La Real made significant changes for Sunday’s fixture, and it would perhaps tempt Hansi Flick to make his own adjustments ahead of next week’s Champions League showdown against Benfica.
