Barcelona will aim to continue the push towards the 2025/26 La Liga title when they lock horns with Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday afternoon. Hansi Flick has new roster issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Lamine Yamal is the latest injury-enforced absentee after sustaining a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the remainder of the 2025/26 season and jeopardised his World Cup hopes. The Spanish international accompanies Andreas Christensen (knee), Marc Bernal (ankle), and Raphinha (hamstring) in the treatment room.
Additionally, Eric Garcia is not in the travelling squad, as he will serve a suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Flick discussed how his team would cope with the absence of Yamal. The German tactician also provided fitness updates on Bernal and Raphinha.
The Barcelona head coach said, “We have to deal with it [Yamal’s injury] as a team. They will all have to step up. It’s not easy, not for him and not for us. But I have seen he is motivated to recover and I think he will be at the World Cup, which is important to him too.”
“He felt something after the penalty foul, but nothing serious, so we decided he’d take it. It was his first muscle injury, and that’s why it’s not easy to interpret the signals the body can give. They [Bernal and Raphinha] still aren’t training with the team, but I hope they are better next week.”
Joan Garcia is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Getafe on Saturday. The backline will feature Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, and Alejandro Balde.
As for the midfield unit, Frenkie de Jong will join Pedri in the double pivot, with the former replacing Eric Garcia in the middle of the park. Gavi will reprise the no. 10 role, with Fermin Lopez and Roony Bardghji being the two wide attackers. Finally, Ferran Torres will lead the line for the away side against Getafe on Saturday. So, Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski will be among the backup options on the bench for the Blaugrana.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde; de Jong, Pedri; Bardghji, Gavi, Fermin; Torres
