• Injury curse looms over the clasico

Amid the continuous demands of the seasons and the abundance of matches, the curse of injuries, especially muscular ones, has become an almost permanent part of the football scene

This reality will be clearly and harshly reflected in the upcoming Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match, the much-anticipated “Clasico of the Earth,” scheduled in the tenth round of the 2025-2026 Spanish League

The Clasico, widely regarded as the biggest match in the world, loses a large number of its prominent stars this season on both sides, creating real tactical challenges for the coaches

After Real Madrid suffered frequent injuries last season, Barcelona has not fared much better this season, with the Catalan team almost losing many of its key players intermittently

Physical pressures remain intensely present in football in this manner

Barcelona: Injury Front Exhausts Flick

Barcelona enters the match as the team most affected by absences. German coach Hansi Flick hoped for the return of some stars, but luck has not been on his side

Hopes rested on Raphinha, who participated partially in Barca’s Wednesday training, but he relapsed on Friday, confirming his absence for the Clasico, joining a long list of influential injured players

Key Absences for Barcelona

• Robert Lewandowski: The veteran Polish striker misses out due to a groin injury while with the Polish national team, depriving Barca of its main attacking threat in the penalty area

• Dani Olmo: The Spanish star is sidelined due to a calf injury during the last international break, limiting Flick’s options on the wings and in playmaking

• Raphinha: Injury relapse removes an important option for balance and speed in attack

• Gavi: Long-term absence until February due to repeated knee ligament injuries, leaving a significant gap in midfield leadership, pressure, and fighting spirit

• Ter Stegen: The German goalkeeper has been out since the start of the season due to back surgery, with no expected return before January

• Juan Garcia: Backup goalkeeper undergoing right foot surgery, expected to miss several weeks

Flick’s Double Absence Challenge

The crisis does not only affect the players; the coach himself will be absent from the bench after receiving a red card in a previous match against Girona

The disciplinary committee rejected Barcelona’s appeal, meaning Flick will watch the Clasico from the stands, while assistant Marcos Sorge will lead the team on the field, forcing Barcelona to face the dual absence challenge of both the head coach and key players

Real Madrid: Returning Players and Defensive Absence Challenge

In contrast, Real Madrid is in a better position regarding injured players’ return

• Players Cleared to Play: Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been cleared to return after recovering from various injuries

• Dani Ceballos: Available for the Clasico after missing the last two games due to minor muscle fatigue

• Raul Asensio: His injury in the last Juventus match is confirmed to be negligible

Key Absences for Real Madrid

• Antonio Rudiger: The German defender has been out for a long time, expected to return in December

• David Alaba: The Austrian defender suffered an injury during his first start this season against Getafe, confirming he will miss the Clasico

Although Real Madrid’s absences are fewer and have less impact on offense, the defensive duo of Rudiger and Alaba missing presents a major challenge for coach Xabi Alonso, who will have to rely on less cohesive defensive options against Barcelona’s fast attack led by new star Marcus Rashford and talented Lamine Yamal

Ultimately, the Clasico remains the biggest match in the world. But under these circumstances, the fighting spirit and mental readiness of the substitutes and young players will be the decisive factor in determining who emerges victorious at Santiago Bernabéu in this chapter full of injuries and tactical crises