Crucial month ahead for Barcelona as nine-game marathon threatens to shape their season | OneFootball

The international break has finally concluded, and for once, Barcelona return to domestic duties without a wave of injury setbacks. 

It is a welcome change for Hansi Flick, who has often seen international windows disrupt his plans. 

This time, the damage has been minimal, giving the German coach a rare sense of relief ahead of a demanding stretch of fixtures.

Barcelona’s immediate attention now shifts to their long-awaited homecoming at the new Spotify Camp Nou, where they will take on Athletic Club. 

The match will be played without visiting supporters due to ongoing construction restrictions.

However, the atmosphere is still expected to be vibrant as the club reopens its iconic stadium after more than two years away.

A brutal run of fixtures

However, the return home comes at a moment when Barcelona cannot afford even the slightest drop in intensity. 

What lies ahead for the team is a run of matches that feels almost unforgiving – a real sporting mountain in every sense of the term. 

FC Barcelona return to action this weekend. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Over the next few weeks, the Blaugrana will play nine games in under a month, which includes six La Liga fixtures, two Champions League clashes, and their opening Copa del Rey encounter.

Immediately after facing Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona will fly to England for a Champions League showdown against Chelsea. 

Winning at Stamford Bridge has historically required more than just solid form, and Flick knows his side must be tactically sharp and mentally resilient.

December, in particular, holds enormous weight in Barcelona’s season. The club is set to face three of the top five teams in La Liga, namely, Atlético Madrid, Real Betis, and Villarreal. 

Wedged between these league battles are a Champions League meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt on December 9 and a home match against Osasuna during the weekend of the 14th. 

The Copa del Rey tie adds yet another layer of pressure.

As such, the positive news for Barcelona is that Flick expects several injured players to rejoin the squad as this marathon begins.