Football moves fast. One minute you're celebrating a Spanish Super Cup trophy in the desert, and the next, you're shivering in San Sebastián trying to keep a winning streak alive without your best player. That is basically the reality for Hansi Flick as FC Barcelona prepares to face Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena this Sunday, January 18, 2026.
If you've been checking the news, you know the vibe around the club is high. Eleven wins in a row. A four-point lead over Real Madrid. Flick has this team humming like a German-engineered engine, but today’s lineup has a massive, gaping hole in it.
The Raphinha Bombshell: Why the Captain is Out
Honestly, the biggest news regarding the Barca starting 11 today is the absence of Raphinha. The Brazilian has been in the form of his life, bagging 11 goals already this season. He’s the heart of Flick’s high-press system. But he’s not even on the plane to Donosti.
He took a nasty knock to his right thigh, and while he tried to push through it in training, the medical staff—led by the legendary Dr. Ricard Pruna—decided it wasn’t worth the risk. It’s a "precautionary" move, but at a stadium as tough as the Reale Arena, it feels like a lot more than that.
Predicting the Barca Starting 11 Today
So, who actually steps onto the grass? Flick doesn't like changing things if he doesn't have to. He's a creature of habit.
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Joan García is effectively the undisputed number one now. With Ter Stegen still recovering from that knee surgery and Wojciech Szczęsny mostly providing veteran backup, García has been a revelation. Four clean sheets in his last few starts? Not bad for a guy many doubted at the start of the year.
The defense is where things get interesting. Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde will flank the young Pau Cubarsí and the versatile Eric García. It’s a high-line defensive unit that has caught opponents offside more times than I can count. Seriously, they caught Real Madrid offside 25 times across four games recently. It’s risky, it’s aggressive, and it’s pure Flick.
- Goalkeeper: Joan García
- Defenders: Koundé, Eric García, Cubarsí, Balde
- Midfield Pivo: Frenkie de Jong, Pedri
- Attacking Mids: Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Marcus Rashford
- Striker: Robert Lewandowski
The Rashford Factor
With Raphinha out, all eyes are on Marcus Rashford. Since joining, the Englishman has been... well, complicated. He’s got the pace that Flick loves, and his vision has been surprisingly sharp, but the goals haven't exactly been flowing. He only has two in the league so far.
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Starting him on the left is a gamble. He doesn't track back with the same ferocity as Raphinha, which might leave Alejandro Balde exposed against Takefusa Kubo. But if Barca can get him into space on the counter? That’s where the magic happens.
Midfield Control: De Jong and Pedri
Frenkie de Jong is back from his suspension, and honestly, Barca missed his ability to break lines. He’ll likely partner with Pedri in that double-pivot/creative hybrid role.
Fermín López should keep his spot as the number 10. He’s been in better form than Dani Olmo lately, especially after a monster performance in the Super Cup. He brings a certain "chaos energy" that disrupts low blocks, which is exactly what Real Sociedad will try to set up.
What to Watch For
Keep an eye on João Cancelo. He just signed (again) and is in the squad. Flick might bring him on late if the game is tied and they need a moment of individual brilliance from the fullback position.
Also, don't sleep on Real Sociedad. They are sitting in 11th, which sounds mediocre, but Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Méndez can hurt anyone if the offside trap fails by even a fraction of a second.
Actionable Insights for Cules:
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- Monitor the High Line: If Sociedad gets two through balls behind Cubarsí in the first 20 minutes, expect Flick to drop the line five yards back.
- Rashford's Position: Watch if Rashford stays wide or tucks in. If he tucks in, Balde becomes the de facto winger.
- The 60-Minute Mark: If the game is level, look for Dani Olmo to replace Fermín to provide more "pausa" and control.
Barcelona needs this win to maintain that four-point cushion. Real Madrid is breathing down their necks, and a slip-up in San Sebastián is exactly what Ancelotti is praying for.