Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Sociedad - La Liga | OneFootball

Hansi Flick's Catalonian train continues to roll!

After securing local bragging rights with a 3-1 win over Espanyol last weekend, Barcelona continued their winning run with a comprehensive 5-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade. They've now won seven on the bounce and sit atop La Liga, although their lead at the summit was trimmed to six points after Real Madrid breezed past Osasuna on Saturday.

Trips to the Anoeta are rarely straight forward, but Real Sociedad have offered little more than mediocrity at the start of the 2024/25 campaign and rank 11th in the Spanish top flight ahead of the league leaders' visit.

Still, this bout could give Flick a few headaches.

Here's the Barcelona team he could pick for Sunday's game in San Sebastian.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1)

Raphinha is in red-hot form / Alex Caparros/GettyImages

GK: Inaki Pena - Some might've suspected Wojciech Szczesny to come in and assume Marc-Andre ter Stegen's role after Barcelona brought him out of retirement, but Flick has so far retained his faith in Pena.

RB: Jules Kounde - The Frenchman has been brilliant in 2024 and is starting to emerge as one of Europe's best two-way full-backs. Kounde's becoming a regular contributor in the final third.

CB: Pau Cubarsi - His Terry Butcher antics mean he already boasts an iconic gladiator image at the age of 17, and the head injury he sustained on Tuesday night is unlikely to deter him. The young centre-back will wear a mask if he does feature this weekend.

CB: Inigo Martinez - The former Sociedad centre-back has found his feet in Catalonia and is thriving in Flick's side. Martinez was on the scoresheet during Barca's 5-2 win on Tuesday.

LB: Alejandro Balde - After a frustrating 2023/24, Balde has returned to his dynamic best down Barca's left flank. An intriguing duel with Takefusa Kubo awaits.

CM: Pedri - Utilised higher up in Belgrade, Pedri could be restored to the pivot where he's thrived this season. The Spaniard is injury-free and utterly joyous to watch in the middle of the park.

CM: Frenkie de Jong - It's harsh on Marc Casado, who's been a revelation at the start of the new season, but Flick must surely be tempted to play two of the world's leading midfielders in the same midfield pivot. De Jong was included in the XI on Tuesday and will become a key part of this team.

RM: Lamine Yamal - The teenager doesn't do rests, and he's not going to miss out here on what could be a tricky encounter for the league leaders. Yamal has 12 La Liga goal contributions in as many games this term.

AM: Dani Olmo - The space invading Spaniard was the star of last weekend's bragging rights claim against Espanyol, and he was handed some respite on Tuesday. Fermin Lopez is knocking on his compatriot's door, but Flick will surely go with Olmo as his number 10 on Sunday.

LM: Raphinha - There are very few players performing at a higher level than Raphinha right now. The Brazilian is thriving as an in-behind runner within Flick's framework. A key outlet in this Barca team, Raphinha's recorded 13 goal contributions in 12 league games and was productive yet again in midweek.

ST: Robert Lewandowski - Not even the most optimistic fans envisaged Lewandowski enjoying the resurgence he has at the start of 2024/25. The Pole has been brilliant for this team, and looks so much sharper compared to last season. The striker has seven goals in his previous five appearances in all competitions.