FC Barcelona are currently in the middle of yet another crisis that continues to plague the club. In recent months, the club has once more become a victim to vicious injuries that are hindering their performance in its entirety.
There are currently six major stars who are recovering from injuries that have taken place at some point within the last two months. Pedri, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Frenkie De Jong, and Lamine Yamal are all currently unavailable for selection when it comes to Barcelona.
However, the point of concern originates from the injury of two players in particular. Whereas the injuries to Lewandowski, Kounde, Lamine Yamal, and Frenkie De Jong were all due to aggressive physical contact which is understandable in itself, the injuries to Pedri and Raphinha took place without much contact.
According to the recent report by Diario AS, Barcelona have taken special notice of the injuries suffered by both Raphinha and Pedri. Pedri’s injury occurred in training while the Brazilian winger’s injury was suffered during a clash against Sevilla in a moment where physical contact with any other player was not there to be seen.
These overloads and spontaneous muscle injuries are exactly what Xavi Hernandez had initially tried to prevent. He brought in Barça’s former medical team, with Dr Ricard Pruna at the helm, to aid in this objective of his and it seems the measures are still not enough.
It is understood that within the contracts signed by players they are directly prevented from taking part in risky endeavors, be it mountain climbing or parachuting, as well as advised on not to partake in too many gym activities outside of the club’s regulations and supervision.
Due to exhaustive work at times, muscles can become overstressed and then vulnerable to overload. In order to avoid such unwanted occurrences, Barça and Xavi have tried their best to limit any extra activity their players end up taking part in.
Moreover, prevention exercises and recovery are two processes that Xavi has put extreme emphasis on, as per AS. Yet despite these measures and even more, the players continue to be victims to such injuries that are out of the control of the club.
Consequently, Xavi and his coaching staff may end up having to devise even more regulations and rules to aid their player’s recoveries and save them from such unfortunate occurrences. At the very least, the club can try to limit injuries that are still in their control.
For now, with El Clasico in mind, Barcelona can only realistically count on Pedri and Lamine Yamal as a guarantee to return. Raphinha may possibly be available as well as Robert Lewandowski, with the latter’s situation being slightly more complicated.
Other than that, both Frenkie De Jong and Jules Kounde are considered to be completely out for the clash against Real Madrid slated for the 28th of October. A massive encounter, Barcelona and Xavi will ultimately have to make work with what they have at their disposal.
