Hansi Flick optimistic despite Barcelona injury woes heading into 2026 | OneFootball

The calendar offers little mercy to FC Barcelona as we head into 2026. The festive December pause may bring a brief physical reset, but mentally, the countdown has already begun.

Early January will demand immediate focus, with a derby against an in-form Espanyol followed almost instantly by knockout football and the first piece of silverware on offer. There is no gentle reintroduction, only higher stakes with little margin for error.

The schedule alone explains why the coaching staff has resisted switching off completely. According to SPORT, a Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic Club arrives days after the derby, with the prospect of a final against either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid waiting just beyond the horizon.

These are fixtures that define tone as much as points, and Barcelona know how quickly confidence can be shaped or shaken at the business end of the season.

Context, however, matters. Barcelona close out the year at the top of La Liga, four points clear of a Real Madrid side still searching for coherence under Xabi Alonso.

Under Hansi Flick, Barca have navigated turbulence before, particularly in October when injuries mounted, and defeats arrived in quick succession. The response since then has been steadier, restoring both position and belief.

That balance explains Flick’s state of mind as he heads into the break. He has every reason to be satisfied, yet unease runs high as well. Relief came when Jules Kounde was substituted at La Ceramica as a precaution rather than necessity, with the Frenchman expected back when training resumes on December 29.

The disappointment, however, is unavoidable. Andreas Christensen’s latest setback has once again deprived Flick of a trusted option in his rearguard. Just as the Dane appeared ready to contribute across defence and midfield, a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee ruled him out until April, choosing caution over risk.

Elsewhere, the picture is cautiously optimistic. Ronald Araujo is expected to rejoin the group after a planned mental and physical reset.

Pedri should be available for the derby despite recent calf discomfort, while Dani Olmo is targeting minutes after conservative treatment on a dislocated shoulder. Gavi, meanwhile, remains on a carefully managed path toward a February return.

Under Flick, Barcelona head into 2026 in front, but with no margin for complacency.