Barcelona’s Challenge in the Absence of Raphinha

Barcelona traveled to Anoeta without their star forward Raphinha, whose injury necessitated a greater responsibility on the shoulders of young talent Yamal to penetrate the Real Sociedad defense.

Despite being closely marked by four defenders, Yamal demonstrated remarkable agility, evading his opponents to advance his team’s play. The official Barcelona account aptly dubbed him ‘Houdini,’ a testament to the teenager’s impressive skills on the field.

The match presented a significant challenge for Barcelona, particularly given the historical difficulties of competing at Anoeta. Although Real Sociedad has had a rough season at home, the venue remains a formidable place for opposing teams, including Hansi Flick’s side.

Raphinha’s absence was attributed to a precautionary measure due to a thigh injury, as confirmed by Barcelona’s X account on Sunday morning. The club expressed optimism about his return, indicating he is likely to be fit for the upcoming Champions League clash against Slavia Prague.

“First team player Raphinha sits out the game against Real Sociedad as a precaution due to a knock to the right thigh,” the club reported.

Prior to this match, Barcelona had been on a remarkable winning streak, having secured nine consecutive victories, including a notable win over Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana final. The 2-1 victory over Los Blancos not only showcased their prowess but also marked their 16th Supercopa title.