Barca suffers a complete loss of players right before the El Clasico against Real Madrid

Barcelona is currently dealing with a severe injury crisis, with three key forwards—Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Raphinha—each facing problems ahead of their crucial clash with Real Madrid.

According to Spanish media, Lewandowski suffered a muscle tear while playing for the Polish national team and may be sidelined for several weeks, making his participation in the El Clasico almost impossible. Notably, the 36-year-old striker played the full 90 minutes despite feeling pain early on, which deeply disappointed the Barca coaching staff. Meanwhile, Ferran Torres was also forced to leave the Spanish national team due to a minor injury and will miss the upcoming match against Girona.

Without their main forwards, Flick must rely on young talents like Lamine Yamal along with newcomers Roony Bardghji and Marcus Rashford, who will carry the goal-scoring responsibilities during this challenging period.

In the pre-match press conference, Hansi Flick could not hide his disappointment as the injury list grew longer. He mentioned that Lewandowski had made great efforts to manage his condition, and this injury “was simply unavoidable” after a busy international schedule. However, what worries him most is the situation with Raphinha.

“Every case is difficult, but I am especially saddened by Raphinha’s situation,” Flick stated. “He is the player who brings the highest pressing intensity to the team. We hope he will return soon because the pre-Madrid plans heavily depend on Raphinha.”

As La Liga enters a critical phase, Barcelona currently trails Real Madrid by only 2 points in the standings. The Catalan club will face Girona, Olympiacos, and then a crucial away match at Santiago Bernabeu on October 26.

Dani Olmo is still recovering and needs at least two more weeks before returning, while goalkeeper Joan Garcia is definitely out. Fermin Lopez is a rare bright spot, having fully recovered and ready to play.

With a severely weakened attack, Hansi Flick faces a major personnel challenge. He hopes Raphinha, Yamal, and Torres can return in time for the El Clasico, while Lewandowski is almost certain to miss out. The upcoming matches against Girona and Olympiacos will be important tests for Flick’s tactical adaptability as he tries to maintain form and keep pace with Real Madrid in the title race.