Barcelona’s defeat at Real Sociedad was another timely reminder that the Catalan giants don’t have enough strength in depth to sustain a title tilt if they’re hit by injury problems.
Form can come and go, individually and collectively, but an injury that rules a player out for any length of time is often hugely problematic.
Losing Frenkie de Jong has proven the point, even if the Dutchman is yet to recapture his best form.
Lamine Yamal didn’t end up showing his face at the Reale Arena, and despite being just 17 years of age, it was abundantly clear how much he was missed.