The Barça on high alert: concern just days before the Classic

The last international break has been particularly tough for FC Barcelona, which was already dealing with several physical setbacks in previous months (such as the injuries to Gavi and Lamine Yamal). At a crucial moment in the season, Hansi Flick´s team is facing a tough streak after two consecutive defeats: against PSG (1-2) in the Champions League and against Sevilla (4-1) in LaLiga. The culés are looking to regain their form against Girona and Olympiacos, but the big match on October 26 against Real Madrid is capturing all the attention.

Those who could return

At this moment, FC Barcelona has eight players without medical clearance, in addition to a ninth, Ferran Torres, who returned early from the Spanish national team camp due to a strain in his left hamstring, although without a serious injury. The club explained that the Valencian will follow a specific training plan, and all signs point to him being available on Saturday against Girona (16:15h in Montjuïc) and, if there are no setbacks, also in the Classic. Alongside him, Lamine Yamal and Fermín López are already training with the group awaiting medical clearance. Everything indicates that both will have minutes in the matches against Girona and Olympiacos to arrive at the Bernabéu with competitive rhythm. Therefore, the three players who should be available without complications for the Classic are Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, and Fermín López. On the other hand, five players are already practically ruled out: the long-term injured Joan Garcia, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Gavi, who underwent arthroscopy on his medial meniscus on September 23.

Confirmed absences

The recent international break has brought new bad news for Barça. Two more players have joined the injury list: Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski. In the case of Dani Olmo, his participation in the Classic is practically impossible. Although there are different versions between the RFEF and the national coach about whether he had already been experiencing discomfort before joining the camp, medical tests confirmed that there is no muscle tear, but there is a calf injury in his left leg that will keep him out for two to three weeks. Even in the most optimistic scenario, forcing his return for the Classic seems a risky decision. For his part, Lewandowski will be out for three to five weeks after getting injured with the Polish national team. The forward scored a goal and played the full 90 minutes against Lithuania, so the subsequent medical report was a heavy blow. The Polish player suffers from a muscle tear in the biceps femoris of his left leg, making his presence at the Bernabéu practically impossible.

The big unknown: Raphinha

The main focus of uncertainty now falls on Raphinha. The Brazilian winger has not progressed as expected from his hamstring injury and is already ruled out for the derby against Girona this Saturday. Unlike other teammates, his injury occurred while playing with Barça —in the match against Oviedo— and in recent days he has reportedly felt discomfort that complicates his return. In this context, FC Barcelona would face the Classic with the confirmed absences of Joan Garcia, Ter Stegen, Gavi, Lewandowski, and almost certainly Dani Olmo. The hope is that Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, and Ferran Torres arrive in optimal conditions. The team and the fans can only cross their fingers that there are no more physical setbacks before the big clash against Real Madrid.