The various international breaks have hurt many clubs. Some have seen some of their players return injured and are unavailable for a longer or shorter period of time. FC Barcelona paid a dear price, especially with the Spanish team. Lamine Yamal last month, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres this month. The last two cities are also unavailable for this afternoon's Catalan derby against Girona at Montjuïc (4:15 p.m.). They are not the only ones.
Still among the attackers, Robert Lewandowski is also absent, affected with Poland. As with Olmo, Barça management is angry with the center forward for having strained his physique to play for the national team, forcing him to observe a period of rest. Hansi Flick defended himself yesterday at a press conference but also has to deal with long-term injuries to Raphinha, Gavi, Ter Stegen and even Joan Garcia; a real massacre.
Hecatomb and eleven unreleased
Already battered in its last two matches before the break against PSG (1-2) and Sevilla (1-4), Barça must react but with which team lined up on the field? There are so many absentees that the eleven presented today will be unprecedented. The base will resemble what we have seen since the start of the season with Szczesny in goal, Jules Koundé and Gerard Martin on the sides, and a hinge composed of Eric Garcia and Pau Cubarsi. Araujo could also be lined up in place of the former Citizen.
In the middle, little surprises are to be expected. Pedri and De Jong will certainly be lined up from the start, possibly a step higher for the Spanish leader. To support the Dutchman, two solutions exist with Marc Casado but also the very young Dro Fernández, who has already appeared once. Lamine Yamal is expected on the right side to support Rashford up front and on the left, it is Alejandro Baldé who should help out, a step higher than usual.
