The upcoming El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona is shaping into a worrying spectacle for managers Hansi Flick and Xabi Alonso, with as many as 15 players from both sides currently injured ahead of the October 26 clash at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The top-of-the-table fixture could determine the new La Liga leader, yet both clubs’ technical teams are scrambling to manage a mounting injury list. In recent days, Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappé, Franco Mastantuono, and Dani Olmo have joined the sidelines.
Barcelona’s camp faces the bigger crisis, with eight absentees. Lamine Yamal remains a doubt with pubic issues, while Olmo has a calf injury sustained during international duty. Gavi is sidelined for four to five months after knee surgery, and goalkeeper Joan Garcia is recovering from meniscus surgery. Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Lewandowski also remain doubtful for the derby.
Real Madrid are equally troubled. Mbappé aggravated an ankle injury during France’s World Cup qualifiers, while Mastantuono is nursing a thigh strain. Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger are both battling muscle problems, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy facing extended spells out. Dani Carvajal is the only major player nearing full recovery.
Both Flick and Alonso face a tactical headache as injuries threaten to overshadow Spain’s most iconic fixture.