One of the biggest debates in European football right now is the relentless fixture overload, with top players rarely afforded the rest they need as they are pushed to perform week in, week out for both club and country.
The expanded Champions League, the introduction of the Club World Cup (even if Barcelona were not involved this time), and the endless churn of international qualifiers and tournaments are all taking their toll. A growing number of ACL injuries has only added to the rising tide of muscle-related setbacks across the game.
While it cannot be said with absolute certainty that Barcelona’s latest injury troubles are directly caused by this punishing schedule, the correlation is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss across the world of football.
Injury will put big pressure on one player
Raphinha’s injury comes at a particularly delicate moment for Barcelona, further narrowing Hansi Flick’s options in attack. The Brazilian has been an important outlet on the right wing, providing directness, creativity, and experience in the final third. With him sidelined, Barcelona lose a player capable of stretching defenses and producing decisive moments, a gap that will now need filling immediately.
That responsibility will inevitably fall on the shoulders of Lamine Yamal, who may not yet be at full fitness. Thrusting him into a 90-minute battle against a high-intensity opponent like Real Sociedad poses clear risks, particularly if Barcelona are forced to keep him on the pitch longer than planned in search of a breakthrough. Roony Bardghji could offer an alternative on the left for a starting place, while Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres remain the more natural options on the right.
Going back to the Kopa Trophy holder, Flick must balance the need for Yamal’s spark with the importance of managing his fitness carefully, particularly given the demanding fixture list ahead.
For Flick, the pressure is clear. Results in both La Liga and Europe will demand that Barcelona’s attack continues to fire, and without Raphinha, Yamal becomes the obvious solution.
The youngster’s flair and fearlessness could reinvigorate the team’s forward play, but the burden of expectation when not fully fit is enormous, and could potentially put him on the sidelines quicker. How Flick handles this situation may not only shape Barcelona’s season but also define an opportunity to pick up a winning streak within La Liga and the Champions League.
Let's see whether the Real Sociedad and PSG games will test Yamal to breaking point or he is able to get through it with the attacking burden on his young shoulders.