El Clásico Could Be the Beginning of Barça’s Troubles, Or the End | OneFootball

Losing in El Clásico always leads to a referendum on the current project by the losing side. That referendum certainly came for Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos last season, leading to the hiring of Xabi Alonso. Real Madrid struck first blood this season, but how much soul-searching does Hansi Flick actually need to do?

Lamine Yamal Isn’t Fit

Lamine Yamal’s fitness is likely the biggest reason why it’s either the beginning or the end of Barça’s troubles. In El Clásico, he was dispossessed 20 separate times, more than any player on the pitch. His 79.2% passing completion was also the worst of any starter. The alarm bells may have been ringing for the performance after he didn’t back up his confident words before the game, but the reports afterwards about an injury make much more sense than the pressure getting to him.

The injury he’s dealing with is pubalgia, a chronic pain that affects the groin. The worst-case scenario for the injury is surgery, but that hasn’t been the choice just yet. Rest and strengthening the surrounding muscles are the more conservative treatment. If the injury lingers, Hansi Flick will need to figure out how to solve problems without the 1v1 abilities of Lamine Yamal. That could require moving him more centrally for the time being, or taking him out of the starting line-up altogether. If the youngster can overcome the injury in a timely fashion, Hansi Flick may be able to get a full night’s sleep.

Surviving Without Pedri

As of writing, Pedri is the only player this season who has played more than 1,000 minutes for the Blaugrana. While that has been good for his fitness and is what was recommended by doctors for him, the injury that will sideline him for the new few weeks will prove just how essential he is to Hansi Flick’s system. The five point gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid could grow without the Spanish midfielder, but it will say a lot about the project if it doesn’t.

Marc Casadó should be the choice to step into a much larger role, something he handled well next to Pedri at the start of last season when Frenkie de Jong was sidelined. Outside of Casadó, it’s difficult to ask Marc Bernal, who is still working his way back from an ACL injury, to play more than the gradual 10 minute cameos he’s been getting so far.

Flick has mentioned in press conferences that Bernal is working his way back but still not all the way there in training, and those words should hold weight with those hoping that Bernal will be the instant answer. Eric García will also likely see some time as the pivot, as he’ll be trusted more by Flick than any of the youngsters including the recently returned Guille Fernández or Tommy Marques, a defensive midfielder with Barça Atlétic who just got a look in first team training.

How is Eric Garcia Used?

What a world Culers live in that Eric García is being spoken about as an answer to so many problems. Hansi Flick started him over Ronald Araújo in El Clásico. He started on the left side of the centre-back pairing against Kylian Mbappé. After Jules Koundé’s recent dip in form, there are also calls for him to get some reps again at right-back. Plus the minutes he’ll need to cover in the midfield.

Returning Araújo to the starting XI should coincide with the return of Joan Garcia from injury, as the lack of elite passing under pressure from both Araújo and Szczesny has proven to be a bridge too far for Hansi Flick. Unless Flick really does value having two quality passing centre-backs, which would keep Koundé at right-back and give him plenty of minutes to find his form. It is interesting to note that after Pedri, Eric García and Koundé have collected the second and third most minutes this season.

Lewandowski Still Needed

Lastly, the return of Robert Lewandowski, even as an option off the bench again, could help more than Culers understand. His presence and hold-up play were missing against Real Madrid, and showcased that there is still very much a time and a space for the Polish striker. This may be his last season in Catalunya, but he has a skillset that the other forwards don’t have, and getting him back could help Flick manage the lack of Raphinha for the next month.

The next few weeks without Pedri and Raphinha should be an indication of how high this Barcelona squad can fly this season. Drop points consistently and Real Madrid may not let them back in the race like they did last season. Figure out how to survive without them and the ceiling might just be raised on the entire season. Pressure sharpens diamonds after all.