Barcelona suffer yet another injury in training camp, piling onto existing list

Just a few hours after Barcelona announced that Pedri would miss the next five weeks, the club informed supporters of another unfortunate injury-scare.

Barcelona midfielder Pablo Torre suffered a fracture to the fifth metacarpal in his left hand during today’s training session, adding to the club's growing list of injuries. This unfortunate incident follows closely on the heels of news of Ronald Araujo's hamstring strain, and just hours after report of Euro winner Pedri’s newest injury.

Though Torre was not a central figure in new manager Hansi Flick's plans, his injury compounds Barcelona's current woes. The club is already grappling with significant injuries, and while they do expect Balde’s return at some point in the coming weeks, Torre's setback only adds to the concern. The Catalan giants, who are eager to bounce back from a disappointing 2023/24 season that was largely plagued by injuries, face a familiar predicament in the early stages of the new canpaign.

Old manager Xavi will always receive the bulk of the blame for the club’s shortcomings last year, but it’s well-known that Barcelona's injury struggles were a major factor in their underperformance. Key players such as Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, and Balde spent significant time on the sidelines, interrupting team chemistry and forcing Xavi to utilize round pegs in square holes across the starting eleven. 

This recurring theme of injuries will certainly concern new coach Hansi Flick, who has been tasked with steering the club back to glory. Araujo and Pedri are crucial components in Barcelona's tactical setup, and while Pedri is expected back by the start of the La Liga season, Araujo’s absence will be felt at the back. Adding Torre's name to the injury list further complicates matters, even if he wasn't expected to play a significant role immediately.

While the club prepares for its preseason tour, focus must partially shift toward injury management and player recovery. Ensuring the swift return of injured players, while integrating returning faces like Balde, Gavi and De Jong will be essential if the club is to start the year on a positive note. Barca’s medical team will be under immense pressure as Blaugrana aim to avoid a repeat of last season's disappointing result.