Barcelona’s Yamal and Lewandowski Out Due to Injuries

FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski puts his hands on his head during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona, in San Sebastian, Spain, 10 November 2024. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski puts his hands on his head during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona, in San Sebastian, Spain, 10 November 2024. (EPA)
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Barcelona’s Yamal and Lewandowski Out Due to Injuries

FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski puts his hands on his head during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona, in San Sebastian, Spain, 10 November 2024. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski puts his hands on his head during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona, in San Sebastian, Spain, 10 November 2024. (EPA)

There was more bad news for Barcelona a day after its second Spanish league loss, with the club saying Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski are sidelined by injuries.

Both players, who have been key for coach Hansi Flick this season, underwent tests on Monday. Yamal will be out for up to three weeks because of an ankle injury and Lewandowski will be rested for 10 days because of “trouble in the lumbar region of his back.”

Lewandowski is La Liga's top scorer with 14 after 12 matches. Many of the goals came with help from 17-year-old Yamal, one of Barcelona's most dangerous forwards in an attack that has outscored opponents 40-12 in La Liga and 15-5 in the Champions League.

Barcelona lost at Real Sociedad 1-0 in La Liga on Sunday, ending the team's seven-game winning streak across all competitions. The Catalan club remained six points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.

Fermín López replaced Yamal in the attack on Sunday, when Barcelona couldn't get a single attempt on target against eighth-placed Sociedad. Lewandowski had a goal disallowed for offside.



F1 Driver Esteban Ocon Released by Alpine, Doohan to Drive at Final GP of the Season

Alpine driver Esteban Ocon of France walks away from his car after crashing during the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit racetrack in Lusail, Qatar, 01 December 2024. (EPA)
Alpine driver Esteban Ocon of France walks away from his car after crashing during the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit racetrack in Lusail, Qatar, 01 December 2024. (EPA)
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F1 Driver Esteban Ocon Released by Alpine, Doohan to Drive at Final GP of the Season

Alpine driver Esteban Ocon of France walks away from his car after crashing during the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit racetrack in Lusail, Qatar, 01 December 2024. (EPA)
Alpine driver Esteban Ocon of France walks away from his car after crashing during the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit racetrack in Lusail, Qatar, 01 December 2024. (EPA)

F1 team Alpine confirmed Monday that Esteban Ocon has been released ahead of the final Grand Prix of the season and that Jack Doohan will make his debut in Abu Dhabi.

The team said in a statement that the lineup change will allow Ocon to take part in post-season tests with his new team Haas.

Alpine had announced in June that Ocon would leave at the end of the season after a troubled start to the year in Formula 1 for him and the French-owned team.

Doohan was promoted from the reserve driver role to become Pierre Gasly’s teammate.

Ocon was in 14th place in the driver's standings. He crashed out of the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday.

Ocon made his F1 debut in 2016 with Manor and joined the then-Renault team for 2020. His sole career win came at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2021 for Alpine after a crash in wet conditions took out much of the field.

Ocon will partner Ollie Bearman at Haas next season.

The 21-year-old Doohan, son of former motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan, was third in Formula 2 last year and has been a full-time reserve for Alpine in 2024.