Barcelona’s midfield maestro, Ilkay Gündoğan, will be missing in action for the team’s first LaLiga match against Valencia. The 33-year-old sustained a head injury during a recent game against Monaco, forcing him to sit out as a precaution. This adds to Barcelona’s growing list of injury concerns as they gear up for the new season.
Gündoğan’s absence compounds the club’s injury woes, with key players like Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araújo, and Ansu Fati already sidelined. The team is also missing Fermín López, who is yet to return from a break following his participation in the European Championship and the Olympic Games. Furthermore, recent signing Dani Olmo, who trained with the squad but remains unavailable for selection, adds to the team’s injury burden.
Barcelona coach, Hansi Flick, revealed that Olmo’s signing has not been officially registered with LaLiga as the club maneuvers to comply with their spending cap. While some new registrations were processed, like Iñigo Martínez, Pau Victor, Marc Casadó, and Pablo Torre, Olmo’s paperwork remains pending. The situation is further complicated by the potential departure of Vitor Roque, who has been told to seek a new club before the transfer window closes.
Despite the injury setbacks, there is a glimmer of hope for Barcelona as Pedri returns to the squad for the Valencia match. The young midfielder missed the preseason due to an injury suffered while representing Spain in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. Flick is optimistic about Pedri’s involvement, even hinting at potential playing time in the second half. With a limited pool of fit midfielders, the team will heavily rely on youngsters like Casadó, Torre, and Bernal, along with versatile options like Christensen and Raphinha.
Barcelona faces a challenging start to their LaLiga campaign with a depleted squad and lingering registration issues. The absence of key players like Gündoğan and Olmo, coupled with the need to balance the squad within financial constraints, presents significant hurdles for the team. However, the return of Pedri provides a ray of hope amid the adversity. As Barcelona navigates through these challenges, their resilience and ability to adapt will be put to the test in the quest for success in the upcoming season.
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