The air is thick with anticipation as FC Barcelona prepare to face arch-rivals Real Madrid in one of football’s most storied fixtures: El Clásico. Set for today at the Santiago Bernabéu, this La Liga showdown on October 26, 2025, could define the trajectory of both clubs’ seasons. Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, sit just behind Madrid in the standings after a gritty win over Girona, and a victory here would catapult them to the top. But the Catalan giants are heading into the cauldron with a depleted squad, plagued by injuries that have exposed vulnerabilities in depth and resilience.
Barcelona’s injury woes have been a recurring theme this season, exacerbated by the dreaded “FIFA Virus”—those nagging knocks picked up during international duty. With multiple stars sidelined, Flick faces a tactical puzzle: how to neutralize Madrid’s in-form attack, led by the likes of Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé, without his full arsenal? Let’s break down the unavailable players and what their absences mean for the Blaugrana.
Goalkeeping Woes: A Position in Flux
Barcelona’s netminders have been hit hardest, leaving the team reliant on makeshift solutions. Wojciech Szczęsny, the veteran Pole who joined on a free transfer earlier this year, steps up as the No. 1, but the long-term voids are glaring.
- Marc-André ter Stegen (Goalkeeper): The club’s talismanic shot-stopper underwent back surgery in late July and remains sidelined. His expected return isn’t until the end of the year, depriving Barcelona of his commanding presence and distribution skills that are so vital in build-up play against Madrid’s high press.
- Joan García (Goalkeeper): Signed in the summer to add depth, García’s knee surgery at the end of September has ruled him out until late November. This double blow in goal underscores Barcelona’s summer transfer strategy misfires, forcing Szczęsny into a role he might not have anticipated so soon.
Without ter Stegen’s elite reflexes, Barcelona’s defense—already tested by Madrid’s pace—could feel the strain. Szczęsny has performed admirably in recent outings, but El Clásico’s intensity demands perfection.
Midfield Mayhem: Creativity and Tenacity Absent
The engine room, where Barcelona have historically dominated possession, looks threadbare. Long-term injuries here rob Flick of options to control the tempo against Madrid’s dynamic midfield trio of Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Aurélien Tchouaméni.
- Gavi (Midfielder): The fiery Spanish international’s knee surgery in September means a five-month layoff, with no firm return date. Gavi’s relentless pressing and ball-winning would have been perfect for disrupting Madrid’s rhythm, but his absence leaves a void in energy that younger prospects must fill.
- Dani Olmo (Midfielder): Fresh off a hamstring setback during Spain duty in the October international break, Olmo is out until November. His vision and flair in the final third have been missed, and his unavailability hampers Barcelona’s ability to unlock tight defenses like Madrid’s.
These gaps force reliance on the likes of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, who must shoulder extra responsibility. Yet, with Olmo and Gavi out, Barcelona’s midfield risks being overrun in transitions—a fatal flaw in such a high-stakes encounter.
Attacking Absences: Striking Fear into the Forward Line
Up top, where goals win Clásicos, Barcelona are desperately short-handed. The loss of firepower could blunt their counter-attacking threat, especially against a Madrid backline that’s kept clean sheets in recent home games.
- Robert Lewandowski (Striker): The Polish goal machine picked up a hamstring tweak while on Poland duty last week, ruling him out until mid-November. Lewandowski’s clinical finishing (he’s netted eight in La Liga already) is irreplaceable; without him, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres must step up, but the experience gap is immense.
- Raphinha (Winger): A major doubt with a lingering hamstring issue from September, Raphinha’s participation hangs by a thread. Barcelona had hoped for his return today, but reports suggest he’s unlikely to start, if he plays at all. His dribbling and crossing have been key to stretching defenses, and his potential absence tilts the wide areas in Madrid’s favor.
These forward-line headaches come at the worst possible time. Lewandowski’s hold-up play and Raphinha’s directness have been catalysts for Barcelona’s early-season form; replacing them with less proven options risks stifling the attack.
