Alarm Bells Ring at Camp Nou

Barcelona’s management is living in a state of “high alert” and deep concern following the announcement of midfielder Pedri’s injury, which will sideline him for about six weeks.

The injury — diagnosed as a tear in the biceps femoris of his left thigh — has not gone unnoticed. Instead, it has sparked a full-blown crisis within the club, amid serious fears of repeating the negative scenario that led to the team’s collapse during former coach Xavi Hernández’s era.

Pedri’s latest setback has turned the spotlight on the club’s current medical and fitness staff, whose failure to maintain players’ physical condition since the start of the season has become evident.

Star Injuries Put Flick in a Tight Spot

Pedri’s absence is not just a technical loss — it’s another chapter in the series of physical crises plaguing the Catalan squad and directly affecting results under coach Hansi Flick.

According to AS, the injury will shift the balance within Barcelona, especially as several key players remain sidelined or physically strained:

• Lamine Yamal: The young prodigy continues to suffer from pubic inflammation and had to push himself to play in the recent Clásico loss to Real Madrid (2–1), raising growing concerns about his health.

• Gavi: The other midfield star’s condition suddenly worsened; conservative treatment failed, forcing him to undergo surgery. To make matters worse, his meniscus injury deteriorated, extending his absence from five weeks to five months.

• Raphinha: The Brazilian winger was close to returning but suffered a relapse, making his comeback date uncertain and deepening Barcelona’s attacking crisis.

This wave of injuries threatens Flick’s ambitions this season and calls for urgent intervention to halt the team’s physical decline.

The Trio Blamed for the Fitness Crisis

Barcelona’s worsening fitness levels have led to direct accusations against three key figures in the medical and performance departments for failing to replicate last season’s success:

• Julius Thoss (Fitness Coach): The primary target of criticism. Ironically, last season saw major improvement under his promise to cut muscle injuries by 50%. This year, however, the team’s fitness has completely collapsed.

• Raúl Martínez (Physiotherapist): The head of physical therapy at the club. He and Thoss formally joined with Flick but had previously collaborated with Barça during Xavi’s tenure.

• Ricard Pruna (Head Doctor): The main figure under fire, especially after Raphinha’s setback, making him largely accountable for the medical department’s shortcomings.

Club president Joan Laporta is deeply worried and reportedly seeking a radical solution to this growing problem, fearing a repeat of the “Xavi collapse scenario” — one of the club’s worst recent periods, marked by declining performances and results.

Tight Schedule Deepens the Challenge (Elche & Club Brugge)

Barcelona now faces a packed and demanding schedule in the coming weeks, adding to Flick’s troubles amid key absences:

• Elche (La Liga): Barça open this phase on Sunday against Elche — a crucial opportunity for Flick to restore confidence after the Clásico defeat and recent attacking struggles.

• Club Brugge (Champions League): Just days later, on Wednesday, November 5, the team faces Belgian side Club Brugge in a difficult European test, hoping to silence critics over their poor finishing.

• Celta Vigo (La Liga): Then comes another tough away clash against Celta Vigo on Sunday, November 9 — a fixture historically tricky for Barcelona.

Following this intense run, several players — including Lamine Yamal — will join their national teams for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, marking the end of one of the most physically demanding stretches the club has endured in recent years.