Referee Appointed for Barca vs Elche in La Liga

Referee and Venue

La Liga formally announced the officiating crew for Sunday’s clash between Barcelona and Elche at Montjuïc, in round 11 of the Spanish league. The Blaugrana are eager to rebound after their Clasico defeat to Real Madrid (2-1).

The match will be overseen by Miguel Sezma, with Pablo Gonzalez serving as the VAR official to ensure fair play on the day.

Barcelona currently occupy second place in the standings, five points behind Real Madrid, who host Valencia later today.

Flick’s Conference and Team Updates

The German manager, Hansi Flick, noted that Lamine Yamal continues to experience minor pains but is improving with hard work, and he preferred not to dwell on the Clasico past.

He added that Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski have returned to training, while Pedri remains sidelined. Flick spoke about the Elche challenge, praising their cohesive system and stressing the importance of Barcelona sticking to their game plan to press effectively.

On Yamal’s condition, Flick said he is fine overall, with occasional discomfort that is being managed. He also touched on Pedri’s injury and the broader reality of injuries affecting the squad this November.

Regarding potential minutes for Olmo and Lewandowski in Europe, Flick indicated that decisions would be made carefully based on ongoing progress and upcoming fixtures.

Concerning Yamal’s development, Flick emphasized a calm, honest approach, noting the youngster’s ability to play in multiple positions and his ongoing growth. He also commented on the club’s academy outreach and the gradual integration of young talents into the first team, especially as depth is tested by injuries.

Regarding the goalkeeper situation, Flick acknowledged current absences among first-team goalkeepers and the opportunity it provides to evaluate future options, while avoiding dwelling on past results. He stressed that the team must stay focused and unified as the season progresses.

In terms of Barcelona’s academy integration, Flick highlighted the increasing presence of Barça Atlètic talents and the potential for several to contribute soon, adding depth to a squad navigating a demanding schedule.

He closed by reiterating that the Elche match will be tough and that Barça must show unity and quality to secure a win.

Punchlines of the day: If football were a sniper’s game, Barca would practice on the post—dramatic, sometimes effective, rarely boring. And if patience were a weapon, Barça would be a marksman—steady progress, with the target always in sight.