The soaring heights reached by Real Sociedad last season have become a less glamorous reality so far in the new campaign as La Real have struggled to score goals. Things don't get any easier for them with a difficult midweek trip to the Camp Nou to face the defending league champions.
Barcelona vs. Real Sociedad: Preview and TV schedule
Barcelona welcomes a La Real squad to the Camp Nou that is still trying to find their feet this season.
Gerardo Martino is expected to rotate his squad again with Cesc Fabregas reportedly being rested while Sergio Busquets will return after getting the weekend off. Neymar could also get a break after fetauring regularly over the past few matches.
For what it’s worth, La Real head coach Jagoba Arrasate has told the media his team will not sit back against Barca. He explained in the pre-match press conference that sitting back against the Blaugrana only leads to a very long day and a loss.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Cesc Fabregas (rested), Jordi Alba (thigh). In Doubt: Carles Puyol (knee),
Real Sociedad injuries and suspensions
Out: Esteban Granero (knee), Diego Ifran (knee), Gorka Elustondo (knock).
Carles Puyol continues to train and work his way back from knee surgery but there’s been no indication when Martino will bring him back into the 18. Jordi Alba remains sidelined with a muscle strain while Cesc is expected to be rested. La Real’s Granero and Ifran are both out with knee problems while Elustondo is expected to miss out with an undisclosed knock.
Projected lineups
Barcelona: Victor Valdés, Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué, Javier Mascherano, Adriano, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Alexis Sánchez, Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodriguez.
Real Sociedad: Claudio Bravo, Dani Estrada, Mikel González, Iñigo Martínez, José Ángel, Markel Bergara, Rubén Pardo, Carlos Vela, Xabi Prieto, Antoine Griezemann, Imanol Agirretxe.
Match Date/Time: 8 p.m. local, 2 p.m. ET
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
TV: beIN Sport en Español (U.S.), Sky Sports 3 (U.K.), Canal+ 1 (Spain)
Online: beIN Sport Play (U.S.)
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