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FIFA Break Strikes Hard: Barcelona and Real Madrid Hit by Injuries Ahead of El Clasico
Barcelona faced a challenging October international break, as the so-called “FIFA Virus” struck key players just days before their El Clasico clash with Real Madrid. Instead of allowing players to recover and improve form, the break brought a string of injuries that forced several star players into treatment. Robert Lewandowski became the latest high-profile casualty, suffering a hamstring injury that will sideline him for at least a month, effectively ruling him out of the El Clasico.
Other Barcelona players, including Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, were also affected, both sustaining muscle injuries while on international duty with Spain. Combined with existing injuries to Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Joan Garcia, and Raphinha, Barcelona entered the key fixture with a significantly weakened squad. The injury crisis left the club scrambling to reorganize and adapt before facing their historic rivals.
Real Madrid were not spared, as Kylian Mbappe aggravated an ankle injury during France’s match against Azerbaijan, while younger talents Dean Huijsen and Franco Mastantuono also missed out due to muscle issues. The loss of these players raised concerns about squad depth and forced Madrid’s coaching staff to rethink strategies for the upcoming El Clasico. With both sides missing key contributors, the clash is expected to be more tactical and heavily influenced by how each coach utilizes the available players.
The FIFA-induced injury wave extended beyond Spain, affecting major European clubs across the continent. Chelsea lost Enzo Fernandez to knee inflammation, Liverpool were without Ryan Gravenberch due to a hamstring issue, and PSG faced setbacks with Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele. The recurring problem highlights the physical toll of a congested international calendar, making squad depth and managerial ingenuity critical in navigating these challenges for top clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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