Overview
- Barcelona host Elche at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Sunday evening in Matchday 11, seeking to close a five-point gap to Real Madrid.
- Club announcements confirm a 21-player squad, with Pedri ruled out for roughly 6–8 weeks and Ter Stegen, Gavi, Raphinha, Joan García and Andreas Christensen also unavailable.
- Hansi Flick says Lamine Yamal is improving but still has painful days from pubalgia, the club opted for conservative treatment over surgery, and the coach vowed to "always protect" him.
- Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo returned to training and are available with minutes to be managed, and pre-match line-ups list Yamal starting with Lewandowski among the substitutes.
- Elche arrive eighth under Eder Sarabia after a strong start and feature on-loan Barça goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, though they are still chasing a first away league win this season.