Injury-hit Barcelona are set to welcome back teenage forward Lamine Yamal ahead of their La Liga clash against Girona on Saturday, offering a timely boost as they prepare for the upcoming El Clasico against Real Madrid.
Yamal, who missed the 4-1 defeat to Sevilla and Spain’s World Cup qualifiers due to a recurring groin injury, returned to full training this week and is expected to feature in the local derby. Fermin Lopez has also resumed training, while Raphinha is nearing a return.
Barcelona suffered their first loss of the season before the international break, with head coach Hansi Flick describing the performance as the team’s worst under his management. The defeat came amid a growing injury list that includes Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Joan Garcia, Gavi, and Marc-André ter Stegen.
“It’s one match and we lost it, and we have to keep going on,” Flick said, urging his players to stay focused and avoid a repeat of last season’s mid-season collapse.
The Catalans, currently two points behind leaders Real Madrid, face a packed schedule — meeting Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday before hosting their arch-rivals at the Olympic Stadium on October 26.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who recently extended his contract until 2029, expressed optimism about returning to the renovated Camp Nou, which remains closed due to construction delays.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will visit Getafe on Sunday, hoping Kylian Mbappe recovers from an ankle injury, while Atletico Madrid and Villarreal continue their push near the top of the table.
