Barcelona unlikely to recover injured key duo in time to face Real Madrid | OneFootball

In four days, FC Barcelona face off against bitter rivals Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season, away at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The top spot in the La Liga standings will be on the line, with Barça currently two points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Leading up to the match, Barça manager Hansi Flick received positive news with Raphinha’s return to training this Wednesday, with the Brazilian now expected to be ready for the heavyweight clash.

No Joan Garcia, Dani Olmo highly doubtful

However, according to MARCA, the situation surrounding Joan Garcia and Dani Olmo is far less encouraging.

As things stand, both players are unlikely to feature for Barcelona in Sunday’s El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Garcia, for his part, is completely ruled out after undergoing meniscus surgery in late September. Although his minimum recovery period of four weeks concludes this Friday, he still requires several more days before returning to full fitness.

Joan Garcia will not return for the Clasico. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The recovery has progressed well, and there was initial hope he could make it in time for the Bernabeu, but that will not be the case.

Therefore, Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal for the reigning La Liga champions against Xabi Alonso’s side.

As for Olmo, he is not officially ruled out but has very slim chances of playing. He sustained a soleus muscle injury in his left leg during the international break while away with Spain.

The estimated recovery period was two to three weeks, and the Real Madrid game will arrive exactly two weeks after the incident, leaving little time for a full recovery.

Olmo will undergo further tests this week to assess his condition, but his inclusion seems highly unlikely. Manager Flick is unwilling to take any risks with the playmaker, though, given he has suffered several injuries in recent months.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will also be without Gavi, Robert Lewandowski, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the trip to Madrid. Andreas Christensen, who missed the Olympiacos clash through illness, is likely to recover.