Hansi Flick grapples with a Barcelona squad in disarray as player registration issues and Camp Nou delays threaten their La Liga opener.
Barcelona is gearing up for a high-stakes start to the 2025/26 La Liga season, but off-field challenges are creating uncertainty as the club prepares for their opener against Mallorca.
Manager Hansi Flick is navigating a turbulent period, with the team’s preparations complicated by logistical and administrative hurdles that could shape their early campaign.
The Catalan giants are in a frantic race to register five key players before the season begins.
The most pressing issue is securing goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s registration, as first-choice Marc-Andre ter Stegen is sidelined by injury, and Wojciech Szczesny also awaits clearance, as reported by Marca.
If unresolved, Inaki Peña will be forced to start in goal.
The club has submitted Ter Stegen’s medical report to La Liga, hoping for a swift resolution to allow Garcia to feature on matchday one.
Additionally, players like Marcus Rashford, Roony Bardghji, and Gerard Martin face similar registration hurdles, with La Liga rules limiting Barcelona to replacing only one player in Ter Stegen’s spot.
Complicating matters further, Barcelona is under pressure to finalize renovations at Spotify Camp Nou for their planned return on September 14 against Valencia.
The stadium faces 200 issues flagged by the Catalan Football Association, which must be addressed to secure the necessary licenses.
The club is also awaiting an auditor’s approval for the stadium’s VIP boxes, a critical step that could reinstate their 1:1 spending rule, easing player registration constraints.
However, with the Mallorca match looming, it’s uncertain whether these approvals will come in time.
The combination of unresolved player registrations and ongoing stadium works has created a high-pressure scenario for Barcelona.
Flick’s squad selection remains in limbo, and the club’s ability to return to its iconic home ground hangs in the balance.
As deadlines approach, the off-field intensity matches the anticipation for the on-field action, setting the stage for a dramatic start to the season.
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