Real Sociedad V Barcelona - Preview and possible lineups
We take a look ahead to Sunday's La Liga clash between Real Sociedad and Barcelona at the Anoeta.
Barcelona: Ernesto Valverde has left Gerard Deulofeu, Rafinha and new signing Yerry Mina out of his travelling party for the trip to the Basque country, with fellow 'Nou boy' Philippe Coutinho currently unavailable through injury. Defender Samuel Umtiti is thought to be closing in on a return but he will play no part in this one, nor will striker Paco Alcacer. Nelson Semedo was originally included in the squad but was forced to pull out through tonsilitis and has been replaced by Aleix Vidal.
Real Sociedad: The Basque side could welcome back striker Imanol Agirretxe after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury, but Inigo Martinez (calf), Ruben Pardo (ankle) and Andres de La Bella (knee) are all doubts.
Did you know?
Barca have picked up just two points from their last seven league trips to the Anoeta, but go into this one off the back of a 28-match unbeaten run.
The thoughts of Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde:
"We've not talked too much about Barca's record at Anoeta. But Eusebio, like Unzue, knows this club from his time here and that means he also knows how to hurt us.
"It's a challenge for us. Everyone finds it tough there. Sometimes there are grounds where you find it harder to win than others, but that (Barca's record) is the past. We need to write the future."
The thoughts of Real Sociedad boss Eusebio Sacristan on whether he is under pressure:
"I'm the coach and I know what my job entails, but rather than thinking about negative possibilities I prefer to focus on working day by day and not thinking about the future.
"Backed? I've always felt happy at this club, with everything I have around me, but I know I'm the coach and I depend on results, and that's what I'm working for."
Form:
Possible lineups:
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Vermaelen, Alba; Paulinho, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez.
Real Sociedad: Rulli; Odriozola, Llorente, Raúl Navas, Rodriguez; Illarramendi, Xabi Prieto, Zurutuza; William José, Januzaj, Oyarzabal.