Hansi Flick reminded of 2024 Barcelona injury chaos as crisis hits again | OneFootball

Hansi Flick has not had an easy start to the 2025-26 season, as several FC Barcelona players have suffered from physical problems in this early phase of the new season.

Key players such as Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and Lamine Yamal have all missed matches due to physical problems.

For the upcoming clash with Real Oviedo, Flick will face an unprecedented situation: it will be the first time since his arrival that he cannot count on Gavi, Yamal, and Fermin all at once.

The trio joins a long list of absentees that have already complicated Flick’s plans this season. Gavi is facing a lengthy four-to-five-month layoff following surgery on his right knee meniscus, Fermin is out for at least three weeks with a muscle problem, and Yamal continues to deal with a groin injury.

On the positive side, Balde has recently recovered, though he is not expected to start against Oviedo.

However, as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, this is not the first time the German coach has had to navigate such a difficult stretch. Flick’s first year at the club began in similar fashion, with injuries piling up in the opening weeks.

Ansu Fati, Christensen, Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, Fermin, and Gavi were all unavailable at different points, while Ter Stegen also picked up an injury shortly after. At one point, Barcelona were missing as many as seven players for consecutive matches.

Despite the setbacks, Flick managed to steer his team through that storm, winning 13 of his first 15 matches of the 2024–25 season. His only defeats came against Monaco and Osasuna, when heavy rotation backfired.

This season, the impact of absences has been somewhat smaller, but the challenges remain. Now, as Barcelona prepare to face Oviedo, Flick once again finds himself forced to adapt without some of his most important midfield and attacking options.

If history is any guide, the German has already proven he knows how to get results when adversity strikes. Hopefully, he manages to keep delivering positive results to stay alive in the fierce La Liga title race, as Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid are posing a serious challenge and have not dropped any points after six games so far.