During a title race, even early, playing second can have advantages, and that's just what will happen for Barcelona as they host Real Sociedad on Sunday. Following Real Madrid's humbling loss to Atletico Madrid , Hansi Flick's Barcelona can go top of the league with a victory at home. It's not a match that will come easy, with needing to balance injuries and rotation with a looming date with Paris Saint-Germain in Champions League play, but with El Clásico looming this month, Barcelona can't let an opportunity to pull ahead of their rivals slip away.

Goalkeeper Diego Kochen had to be recalled from national team duty with the United States U-20s to serve as the number two goalkeeper due to Joan Garcia picking up an injury . With both he and Marc-Andre ter Stegen sidelined

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