Barcelona handed major injury blow with key forward set to miss upcoming Clasico

Chirag Sharatkumar

Barcelona handed major injury blow with key forward set to miss upcoming Clasico image

Barcelona’s injury woes continue to mount, with yet another forward sidelined ahead of this month’s Clasico against Real Madrid.

Hansi Flick has already been forced to navigate a host of fitness issues, with Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and goalkeepers Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Joan Garcia all currently ruled out.

As a result, Barcelona’s results in September have been mixed.

Flick’s side began the month strongly, securing wins over Valencia, Newcastle United in the Champions League, Getafe, Real Oviedo, and Real Sociedad.

But the injury crisis took its toll toward the end of the month, with a weakened PSG side defeating them at home, followed by a heavy loss to Sevilla just before the international break.

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While some of the above players could return before the Clasico on October 26, a fresh injury has further complicated matters for the Blaugrana.

Lewandowski set to miss El Clasico

Barcelona have suffered another blow, with Robert Lewandowski picking up a thigh injury that will rule him out of the marquee clash with Real Madrid.

The Catalan club confirmed on Tuesday (October 14) that the striker has torn a muscle in his left thigh.

ESPN later reported that Lewandowski could be sidelined for up to five weeks, further hindering Barca’s options in attack at a crucial point of the season.

The 37-year-old missed the start of the campaign with a muscle problem and didn’t make his first start until Barca’s Champions League win over Newcastle United mid-way through last month.

In just nine total appearances this season, the Poland international has managed four goals, but he is now set to face another spell on the sidelines.

This leaves widemen Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford as Flick’s only options to lead the line.

Lewandowski will miss Barcelona’s return to La Liga against Girona on Saturday (October 18), as well as fixtures against Elche and Celta Vigo, and European meetings with Olympiacos and Club Brugge before the international break.

ESPN also confirmed that Olmo and Gavi are also set to miss the Clasico, though Flick may take heart from the likely returns of Yamal, Raphinha, and Fermin.

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Chirag Sharatkumar

Chirag Sharatkumar is a freelance writer for The Sporting News, with a focus on the Premier League, international football, and global fan culture. He also has extensive experience with the Stats Perform news agency and is a keen long-form sport and culture writer and storyteller. His work can be found on the pages of MUNDIAL Magazine and across various Substack platforms.