Barcelona Hosts Getafe Amid Injury Concerns and High Expectations

Barcelona, Spain – FC Barcelona will host Getafe at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on Sunday as La Liga action resumes. The match comes after a solid 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League, where Marcus Rashford scored a brace, stepping in for the injured Lamine Yamal.

The Estadi Johan Cruyff will once again serve as the home ground due to ongoing renovations at the iconic Spotify Camp Nou. In their last home game against Valencia, Barcelona displayed dominance with a 6-0 scoreline. However, Coach Hansi Flick faces key decisions regarding his lineup for the matchup with Getafe.

Despite Yamal’s continuing recovery from a pubic area injury, Alejandro Balde is nearing a return. Star defender Pau Cubarsí is uncertain due to a knee injury sustained in the Champions League clash against Newcastle. Flick emphasized, “We need to have fresh legs,” in reference to his squad’s physical condition.

In line with this, it is expected that Joan García will start as goalkeeper, supported by defenders Jules Koundé, Ronald Araújo, and Andreas Christensen, should Cubarsí be unavailable. Gerard Martín is anticipated to take the left-back role, while the midfield will likely include Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, both crucial for controlling the game’s tempo.

Wingers Raphinha and Marcus Rashford will offer width, with Rashford eager to continue his scoring form. The Polish forward Robert Lewandowski will lead the attack, looking to score again in La Liga.

Getafe, currently enjoying a strong start to the season, winning three of their first four matches, will pose a challenge. Coach José Bordalás has prepared his team well, aiming to frustrate Barcelona’s offense with a compact defensive setup.

Key players for Getafe include forward Enes Ünal, known for his goal-scoring prowess, and defender Djené, who is critical to maintaining their defensive solidity.

As the match approaches, attention focuses on how Flick will manage his squad amid these injury concerns and the potential impact of Rashford on the game. With both teams keen to extend their strong form, fans can expect an exciting encounter at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.