Clasico: Major emergency at FC Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid showdown | OneFootball

Pedri - Raphinha

There’s growing concern at Barça just eleven days before the Clasico at the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Madrid.

After the October international break, Hansi Flick is counting injured players the way others might count down the seconds before a storm. Right now, Barça’s top priority is figuring out who will be fit and ready on October 26, the day of the high-voltage Clasico against Real Madrid.

Nine Barcelona players are currently sidelined or listed as doubts, and the injury updates keep coming. Ferran Torres, who returned early from international duty with Spain due to muscle overload, is on a personalized recovery plan. The Spaniard hopes to be available for Saturday’s game at Montjuïc, just like Lamine Yamal and Fermín López, who have both rejoined full team training and are close to receiving medical clearance. Three pieces of good news—amid a sea of uncertainty.

But the bad news is piling up. Joan Garcia, Ter Stegen, and Gavi have already been ruled out for the long term. According to reports from Sport, Dani Olmo’s hopes of playing in the Clasico are fading fast. The Spanish midfielder is struggling with a calf injury and could be out for another two to three weeks. As for Robert Lewandowski, the news is a real blow: injured while playing for Poland, the striker has suffered a tear in his left biceps femoris. The prognosis: three to five weeks on the sidelines.

The worst part is the situation with Raphinha, which is causing serious concern. The Brazilian, injured in the same muscle group, hasn’t recovered as expected and will miss the derby against Girona. His progress will determine what happens next, but pessimism is growing within the coaching staff. With eleven days left before the Clasico, Barcelona are walking a tightrope. Flick will have to juggle squad management, hopes for miraculous returns, and prayers to avoid yet more misfortune.