Barcelona host Elche at Montjuic with the task of not dropping any more points, as this would certainly widen the gap between the team and Real Madrid in the rankings.

In the early match of round 10 of La Liga 2025/26, Kylian Mbappe "washed" the Golden Boot with a double, helping Real Madrid beat Valencia 4-0 and temporarily widen the gap with Barca to 8 points.

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Barca and Flick lost Pedri for a while. Photo: MD

Barca are in dire need of a comeback after their Clasico defeat. On paper, the Elche game looks like a good opportunity.

Pedri’s absence has been pivotal for this stage of the season, though, and it has come at a price for Hansi Flick : the Spain international has started every game so far.

Since the start of the season, amid a storm of injuries, Hansi Flick has exhausted Pedri. The image of him pulling Vinicius in El Clasico and receiving a second yellow card reflects an exhausted player.

Pedri is expected to be out for a month and a half. Therefore, the Elche match is the time for the German strategist to look for a solution to refresh the midfield.

There is no doubt that Frenkie de Jong will have to step up and shoulder more responsibility, supported by Marc Casado, Fermin Lopez or even Dani Olmo.

Up front, Lamine Yamal continues to be the center, along with Marcus Rashford who is increasingly confident.

Robert Lewandowski is back, but is expected to start from the bench, meaning Ferran Torres will continue to play as a striker.

The question is: How did Hansi Flick help Lamine Yamal overcome physical and mental difficulties?

“As long as I win, no one can say anything,” Lamine Yamal said last season, when he was criticized for his arrogance. He was no longer winning, but had just failed in every way against Real Madrid.

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Yamal got attention after the El Clasico incident and broke up with his girlfriend. Photo: MD

Lamine Yamal let too many external factors affect the pitch. He did not focus entirely on treating his injury, so he played with a hamstring problem that caused many obstacles.

Amidst much noise, from Real Madrid players "bullying" to accusations of cheating, Yamal has just broken up with his girlfriend Nicki Nicole.

Has the 18-year-old given up all the glamour and temptations outside? The answer will be in the match against Elche. Yamal needs Flick as a psychologist more than ever.

Force:

Barca: Gavi, Ter Stegen, Christensen, Raphinha, Joan Garcia are injured. Pedri is injured and suspended.

Elche: Full staff.

Expected lineup:

Barca (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Eric Garcia, Araujo, Pau Cubari, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Rashford; Ferran Torres.

Elche (3-5-2): Inaki Pena; Chust, Affengruber, Bigas; Nunez, Mendoza, Febas, Aguado, Valera; Silva, Rafa Mir.

Match odds: Barca handicap 2

Goal ratio: 3 1/2

Prediction: Barca win 3-1 .

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-barca-vs-elche-danh-thuc-lamine-yamal-2458559.html