Injuries a Problem for Barcelona as Sarabia’s Elche Visit Montjuic – Xinhua
BARCELONA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) – FC Barcelona faces a challenging fixture against Elche with a important number of players sidelined due too injury, as Hansi Flick prepares his team following a recent defeat.
Barcelona will host elche at Montjuic Stadium just one week after a 2-1 loss to Real madrid, leaving the reigning La Liga champions five points behind the league leaders.
The team’s ability to implement its usual high-pressing game has been hampered by injuries to key attackers Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, compounded by Lamine Yamal’s continuing pelvic issue. Opposing teams have begun to capitalize on Barcelona’s vulnerabilities, exploiting a high defensive line that has conceded goals.
This week brought further injury concerns with Andreas Christensen picking up a calf problem and Pedri sustaining a hamstring injury expected to keep him out for approximately six weeks. Pedri would have been unavailable for Sunday’s match regardless, due to a suspension carried over from a sending-off last week. Goalkeeper joan Garcia remains unavailable, though Lewandowski might potentially be fit enough to feature as a substitute. Marc Casado is anticipated to fill the void left by Pedri in midfield.
hansi Flick will be back in the dugout after serving a one-match suspension that forced him to watch last Sunday’s Clásico from the stands at the Bernabeu.
focus will also be on the Elche sideline, where Eder Sarabia has earned praise for guiding the club to promotion last season and establishing them in a pleasant mid-table position this campaign through a possession-focused style of play.
Notably, Sarabia previously served as an assistant coach to Quique Setien during Setien’s short tenure at Barcelona following Ernesto Valverde’s departure on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that period, Barcelona’s league position slipped from first to third, and the team suffered an 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions league, a time marked by reports of friction between the coaching staff and senior players, including Lionel Messi.
Sarabia, known for his energetic presence on the touchline, later achieved success with Andorra before taking charge at Elche. Elche’s attacking duo of Andre Silva and Rafa Mir are expected to pose a threat to the Barcelona defense.
