Xavi names Barcelona squad for Real Sociedad contest

The Catalan outfit had a full squad with the La Liga match against Getafe on Sunday, with their only absentees being Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres through suspension.

Andreas Christensen had to be replaced at the interval of the 1-0 win over Getafe due to a hamstring issue, but the Denmark international has recovered in time to be involved.

Meanwhile, Lewandowski and Torres, who will be missing against Girona in the league this weekend due to bans, are both in the squad for the cup fixture with Real Sociedad.

Barcelona will be the favourites to triumph on home soil, but Real Sociedad have won each of their last nine matches in all competitions.

"It's a decisive game. We're playing at our home ground, we'll see if 80,000 people can come. It will be a great game: both teams are in good form. Real Sociedad are a great team, very well worked by Imanol Alguacil," head coach Xavi told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"It depends on how we are. In the Super Cup final we did everything we could. The other day, against Getafe, we weren't at our best. It's impossible to be good all the time, but we have to be competitive and win when we don't play brilliantly.

"Imanol's approach is excellent. He is a proven coach who has already won a title with Real Sociedad. For me he is an example of how to do things.

"I like a lot of things about Real, they are a great team. And a large part of the credit goes to Imanol.

"We are in a very good moment. The Super Cup has given us confidence, but we have to demand more of ourselves. We can't just take one title.

"We want to fight for the league, the cup, and the Europa League. The objective is to win titles. We have one, but there are three more to play for."

Barcelona have won each of their last six matches in all competitions, and they are still competing on three fronts this season, as they will take on Manchester United in a two-legged Europa League playoff encounter next month, while the team sit top of La Liga, three points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

Barcelona squad vs. Real Sociedad:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Bellerin, Araujo, Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Roberto, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Pedri, Kessie, F de Jong, Gavi, Torre; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati, F Torres, Raphinha