In the space of just 2 days, Barcelona have lost 2 of the most important members of the squad. First, the midfield maestro, Pedri, suffered a grade 2 internal lateral sprain in his left knee. 6 minutes into their Quarterfinal fixture against Germany, Spain’s no. 20 was clattered by Toni Kroos which left him in tears. As soon after the Canary player’s condition worsened and he had to be substituted off the pitch. All the way across the Atlantic Ocean, in the Quarterfinal clash between Uruguay and Brazil, Barcelona’s no. 4, Ronald Araujo, was substituted in the second half after suffering from an injury which Uruguay’s head coach Marcelo Bielsa later told the media seems to be a “muscle problem”.
In the Catalonian city of Barcelona, watching all the injuries unfold before his eyes on television, must be a very worried Hansi Flick. The German manager was appointed at the end of last season after the unceremonious sacking of Xavi Hernandez. The fans of the Blaugrana will have high expectations from their new manager in the new season after having a trophyless last season. The injuries to key players just makes Hansi Flick’s job all the more difficult. Pedri and Araujo are the latest additions to a long list of Injured players at Barcelona. Pedri will be out for around 1 month while Araujo will be sidelined for more than 8 weeks at the least.
Gavi, who has been injured for a long time now after suffering an ACL injury during an international break is not supposed to be back for another 3 months at least. Alejandro Balde suffered an injury during Barcelona’s fixture against Athletic Bilbao last season and is slated to miss the first half of preseason. Frenkie de Jong, another pivotal part of the first team still hasn’t recovered from his ankle problem. Adding Pedri and Araujo to the list makes 5 players who otherwise would be guaranteed starters for Barcelona. Is Barcelona cursed? Or is there more to the story?
The short answer is the incapability of the fitness and medical team to keep their players healthy and fit. Something that will hopefully be on the track if changing soon.
The Hansi Flick Impact
Known for his fast-paced attacking style of play and high pressing, Hansi Flick’s squad often run the most on the pitch against their opponents. This style of play requires immense physicality levels among his players. Something that’s absent for now at Barcelona. With most of the coaching staff being changed, fans will be hoping with the new medical and fitness staff comes a lot of physical training and preparation as well as precaution in the way the players are managing their workload. Hansi Flick has also stated that making his new squad fitness-oriented is necessary to play the style he prefers. And for a Barcelona side, suffering with injuries perennially, this shall be good news. Like the Bayern team under Hansi Flick, many players at FC Barcelona will be expected and probably will go through massive physical transformations. Something that will help preserve their body better, also helping in recovery and overall fitness levels.
