The most important match of Barcelona’s campaign arrives on Sunday when Hansi Flick’s men journey to Real Madrid for El Clásico.
La Blaugrana’s last-gasp victory over Girona last weekend means they are still within striking distance of table-toppers Madrid and will leapfrog their bitter rivals with victory at the Santiago Bernabéu. It’s a venue at which they’ve found success in recent seasons, but Los Blancos have won all but one of their fixtures this term and have a perfect record on home soil.
Sunday’s duel in the capital will prove an almighty test of Barça’s title credentials, especially given they’re struggling significantly with injuries ahead of the trip.
Here is the latest Barça injury news before El Clásico.
Marc-André ter Stegen
- Status: Out
- Potential return date: Unknown
Marc-André ter Stegen has been plagued by injury in recent years and the German goalkeeper is still on the sidelines following a back operation undergone in late July.
Ter Stegen isn’t expected to return until the end of the calendar year.
Joan García
- Status: Out
- Potential return date: Late November
Joan García was signed over the summer to ease Barça’s goalkeeping issues, but the Spaniard entered the treatment room at the end of September.
He underwent a knee operation and isn’t expected to return until after the November international break, with Wojciech Szczęsny filling in for the time being.
Gavi
- Status: Out
- Potential return date: Unknown
Gavi is another who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and the youngster was forced to undergo another knee operation in September.
Fortunately, he avoided an ACL tear, but he was still given a five-month recovery timeline. An exact return date is unknown.
Dani Olmo
- Status: Out
- Potential return date: November
Dani Olmo succumbed to the ‘FIFA Virus’ that has frustrated Barcelona this season, with the Spaniard sustaining a setback on international duty with Spain.
He’s not expected to be out of action for much longer, but he will definitely be absent for the trip to Madrid this weekend.
Raphinha
- Status: Doubt
- Potential return date: Oct. 26 vs. Real Madrid (A)
Barça hoped to have Raphinha back available for El Clásico after the winger picked up a hamstring injury in September, but his issue is taking longer to heal than expected.
That means the Brazilian remains a major doubt for the clash with Madrid, and certainly won’t be able to start at the Bernabéu. Flick will be keen to have him available in some capacity for a crucial fixture.
Robert Lewandowski
- Status: Out
- Potential return date: Mid-November
Barcelona will continue without Robert Lewandowski on Sunday, with the Poland international another cursed by the ‘FIFA Virus’ during the October break.
A hamstring injury will keep him sidelined for the next few weeks, with the striker likely to return either side of the November international break.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Barcelona Injuries: Every Player Unavailable for El Clasico.