Barcelona’s relentless fixture schedule has tested the depth of Hansi Flick’s squad to the limit.
With injuries mounting and key players unavailable, the German manager faces one of his toughest challenges since taking over at Camp Nou.
The Catalans are still juggling the demands of La Liga and European competition, forcing Flick to make bold decisions about squad rotation and youth integration.
The club’s medical staff have been working overtime.
Despite the setbacks, there’s growing optimism around the club that its fabled academy could once again provide the answer in a time of need.
La Masia, which gave the world stars like Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi, appears ready for another generation to emerge.
And now, as Barcelona continue to battle a wave of injuries that has decimated Flick’s first-team squad, the one silver lining emerging from the crisis is the renewed involvement of their academy talents.
The youth setup, long celebrated for producing world-class players, is stepping up once again to fill the void left by sidelined stars.
Pedri’s latest setback, which is expected to keep him out for around six to seven weeks, has forced Flick to rethink his midfield structure.
In response, the manager turned his attention towards the youth ranks, calling up Tommy Marques to train with the senior team.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, the dynamic shifted slightly ahead of Barcelona’s weekend clash against Elche.
Only three academy players – Toni Fernandez, Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez, and Xavi Espart, remained with the senior squad for the latest training session.
The others, including Jofre Torrents, Marques, and Alvaro Cortes, were sent back to the reserves after being assessed by Flick and his staff.
In the goalkeeping department, Diego Kochen and Eder Aller continue to train regularly with the first team, providing depth while Wojciech Szczesny temporarily holds the No.1 role. Joan Garcia’s return is expected soon, but Ter Stegen’s recovery will take longer.
With matches coming thick and fast, Barcelona’s immediate future could depend on these young La Masia hopefuls stepping up when the club needs them most.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
