Barcelona injury concerns continue to shape Hansi Flick’s early-season plans as the Catalan giants prepare for their La Liga clash with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday night.
After two straight wins, Barça aim to keep momentum, but absentees could affect both their stability and rhythm.
Barcelona injury list ahead of Rayo Vallecano clash
Barcelona will once again be without their first-choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who is sidelined following a back operation.
The German international underwent surgery last season and is not expected to return until later in 2025, leaving Iñaki Peña to continue deputizing between the posts.
Apart from Ter Stegen, Flick has a relatively fit squad, with no fresh injury concerns reported in training this week.
However, the absence of such an experienced figure at the back continues to be a major talking point as Barça look to balance their defensive structure.
Suspensions affecting Barcelona’s lineup
Good news for the Blaugrana is that there are no suspensions ahead of the trip to Vallecas.
Barcelona will therefore have most of their outfield players available, giving Flick flexibility in midfield and attack.
The clean disciplinary record allows the manager to focus solely on tactical adjustments rather than forced rotations.
How the Barcelona injury situation impacts Flick’s plans
The Barcelona injury to Ter Stegen inevitably shifts responsibility onto the backline and Peña in goal.
While Peña has impressed with his composure, facing an energetic side like Rayo Vallecano away from home is always a stern test.
Flick is expected to rely heavily on defensive leaders like Ronald Araújo and Jules Koundé to provide extra cover.
In attack, the availability of stars such as Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri gives Barcelona plenty of firepower to break down Rayo’s compact setup.
Still, the absence of Ter Stegen could make the difference in a tightly contested fixture, especially if the match turns into a battle of fine margins.
With six points from their first two matches, Barcelona are chasing a third consecutive victory to stay in step with early leaders Real Madrid.
Overcoming the Barcelona injury challenge while maintaining discipline will be key to ensuring Flick’s men keep their perfect start intact.
