Barcelona confirm injuries to key players after LaLiga loss

Barcelona’s red-hot start to the new season cooled on Sunday when they were beaten 1-0 by a dogged Real Sociedad side.

Barça failed to record a single shot on target during the 90 minutes and they must now contend with injuries to two key attacking players. Both Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal - two of their top performers this season - have been ruled out of the November international fixtures due to injury.

Lewandowski has sustained a lower back injury which will see him unavailable for around 10 days. The veteran striker has been in incredible form so far this campaign with a league-leading 14 goals in just 13 games.

Just as concerning, however, is the news that 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal will sit out Spain’s November fixtures. The club confirmed on November that he had suffered a “grade 1 high right ankle sprain” and could miss two to three weeks while he recovers.

Yamal picked up the injury during last week’s Champions League win over Crvena Zvezda and was not in the squad against Real Sociedad. Speaking after the game, Flick admitted that his absence could have been a factor in the flat performance.

“We missed Lamine today, which is normal, I don’t know if he will be back straight after the international break,” the Barça boss said. “I think the doctors will ask for Lamine not to play for the national team. We will speak to the RFEF. He would have if he could’ve played tonight, but there was no other option. I hope the right thing will be done.”