Barcelona have been dealt a double blow just hours before their blockbuster La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid.
The absences come at a tough time for Hansi Flick’s side, who are looking to extend their winning run after a hard-fought victory over Deportivo Alaves at the weekend.
With the title race heating up, these omissions will force tactical adjustments in a fixture that could define the season’s momentum for the Blaugrana.
The squad list, announced earlier today, highlights ongoing injury concerns and other unavailability issues, putting pressure on the depth of the bench and the versatility of the remaining players.
Youngsters have been called up to provide cover, but the spotlight falls on how Flick balances his lineup to counter Diego Simeone’s resilient side.
This match represents a pivotal moment, with Barcelona aiming to assert dominance at home against a team that’s been formidable on the road.
The two key stars officially out are Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo, joining the likes of Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the sidelines, as per the official squad list of Barcelona.
De Jong, expected to reunite with Pedri in midfield after recovering from recent issues, has been sidelined by a sudden fever that kept him out of training and the squad entirely—his absence disrupts Barcelona’s central engine room.
Araujo, the Uruguayan captain, continues his indefinite mental recovery break following the red card against Chelsea, with no return timeline set despite physical fitness.
To compensate, Flick has included academy prospects Dro and Tommy Marques in midfield for potential cameos, while Gerard Martin could retain his centre-back role after impressing recently.
Barcelona’s depth will be tested, but home advantage and a motivated squad could still see them edge past Atletico in this top-of-the-table clash.
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