Barça's Injury Room Shows No Mercy

FC Barcelona is facing a season start dominated by injuries. Up to eight players are still without medical clearance, affecting Hansi Flick's planning for upcoming matches. Every week seems to bring new setbacks, and the club still hasn’t stabilized its squad.

The most notable cases are Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, who are already training partially with the group and could return soon. However, the rest of the injured players, from Raphinha to Pedri and Joan García, remain a concern for the German coach and his medical team. The accumulation of absences has made even seemingly manageable matches a true headache for Barça.

Lewandowski and Olmo: A Light at the End of the Tunnel

Lewandowski suffered a muscle tear in the left leg's femoral biceps during international duty, and his recovery is progressing positively. The Polish striker is already training partially with the squad and could be available for the clash against Elche.

Meanwhile, Dani Olmo was injured during the international break and has also rejoined group training. Although both are close to returning, the coaching staff remains cautious to avoid setbacks. Their comeback would not only strengthen the attack but also send a message of hope to a Barça side battered by injuries.

Uncertainties and Setbacks Complicating Planning

The rest of the Barça injury list presents more uncertain situations. Raphinha, who suffered right femoral biceps issues, is training separately from the group and has no return date yet. Christensen, after a stomach virus and soleus injury, remains an unknown for Flick.

Gavi continues his recovery after internal meniscus surgery, with an expected absence of four to five months, while Ter Stegen, operated on for recurrent lower back pain in July, won’t return until the end of the year or early next year.

Joan García, who started the season as the first-choice goalkeeper, got injured in the final play of the match against Oviedo at the end of September. After surgery on the inner meniscus of his left knee, the young Sallent goalkeeper is working to return to the field, expected after the next international break, making him another key player whose absence affects Barça’s goalkeeper rotation.

Pedri: The Latest Setback Complicating Barça Even More

The situation worsened this Wednesday with Pedri entering the injury list. The Canary Islander suffers a distal femoral biceps tear in his left leg, with a projected return, at best, for the weekend of December 6-7 against Real Betis. This absence adds to an already long list including Ter Stegen, Gavi, Lewandowski, Olmo, Raphinha, Christensen, and Joan García.

With so many absences, Hansi Flick will have to maneuver with limited resources, prioritizing player recovery while avoiding rushing them back and risking setbacks. Barça now faces crucial weeks where squad management could define the trajectory of their season.