Lewandowski OUT, Barcelona’s Injury Crisis Deepens Ahead of El Clásico Showdown
Barcelona’s deepening injury woes have taken a devastating turn, with star striker Robert Lewandowski confirmed as the latest casualty.
The Polish forward has suffered a thigh injury that rules him out of the highly anticipated El Clásico against Real Madrid scheduled for October 26.
This loss marks a significant blow to Hansi Flick’s squad, which is rapidly running thin on options across multiple critical positions.
The Catalan club officially confirmed that the veteran striker has sustained a muscle tear in his left thigh.
According to reports from ESPN, the injury could sideline the 37-year-old for up to five weeks, severely compromising Barcelona’s attacking depth ahead of a crucial, jam-packed fixture schedule.
Lewandowski’s absence intensifies the selection dilemma for coach Hansi Flick, particularly in the forward line.
Compounding the issue, other influential players, including highly rated midfielder Gavi and attacking talent Dani Olmo, are also confirmed to be unavailable for the pivotal trip to Madrid. The timing could not be worse, leaving the squad depleted for its most significant test of the season.
The Full Extent of the Injury Epidemic
The list of absentees extends well beyond the attack. Both first-choice goalkeepers, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Joan Garcia, remain unavailable as they continue their respective recovery processes. This lack of depth across key areas-from the spine of the defense to the spearhead of the attack-is pushing Barcelona’s squad resilience to its absolute limit.
The constant carousel of injuries is a major concern for the club’s medical and coaching staff, casting a shadow over their strong start to the season. The expertise of the team management will be tested as they navigate this grueling period with limited resources.
There is, however, a glimmer of positive news amidst the gloom. Young stars Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez have both rejoined training sessions this week. Furthermore, Brazilian winger Raphinha is also projected to recover just in time for the El Clásico.
The Brazilian has missed the last three games due to his own thigh injury but is reportedly pushing hard to prove his fitness for the massive match, demonstrating the required experience and desire for this fixture.
It is particularly frustrating for Lewandowski, who had only recently recovered from a similar thigh issue earlier in the season.
He had just marked his first Champions League start in the 2-1 victory over Newcastle United on September 18 before succumbing to this setback. This recurrent issue highlights the physical toll on a player of his age maintaining a world-class level.
Flick’s Tactical Challenge: Relying on Reserves
Lewandowski has been a consistent presence, registering nine appearances and scoring four goals across all competitions this season.
His guaranteed absence forces Hansi Flick into a major tactical reshuffle, challenging the German manager’s authoritativeness and coaching ability.
Flick must now rely heavily on Ferran Torres and potentially even deploy Marcus Rashford in the central striker role.
This reliance on players often used out wide or in supporting roles will necessitate a change in offensive structure, favoring pace and movement over Lewandowski’s traditional presence and aerial dominance.
The Polish star is officially ruled out of the upcoming league fixture against Girona and the crucial Champions League tie against Olympiakos. His timeline also likely includes missing matches against Elche, Club Brugge, and Celta Vigo before the next international break.
Dani Olmo, sidelined with a calf injury, is not expected back until early November, around the same time as Joan Garcia. Meanwhile, Gavi and Ter Stegen are still deemed long-term absentees, with no immediate return date set.
Barcelona faces a demanding schedule without several key players, and the clash against Real Madrid on October 26th looms as the ultimate test of character and depth for a squad in the midst of a full-blown injury crisis.
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