Personnel Crisis at Barcelona Ahead of Match Against Villarreal: De Jong's Injury and Lewandowski's Future

The situation in the Catalan capital has become extremely tense following the official confirmation of an injury to a key midfielder. Frenkie de Jong underwent detailed scans which revealed a torn muscle fiber in his left thigh. This injury rules him out of the upcoming match against Villarreal and, more painfully, both Champions League quarter-final matches. The medical staff estimates the Dutchman will be sidelined for five to six weeks. This is another case of a muscular injury in Hansi Flick's squad, sparking debate over the intensity of the German coach's training sessions. Since 2021, FC Barcelona has been grappling with chronic financial problems and recurring injuries to key players, forcing the club to aggressively seek new revenue streams, such as selling the naming rights to the Spotify Camp Nou stadium. Parallel to the health issues, sports media are buzzing about the future of the Catalan Pride's offensive line. There is increasing talk of the end of the era of Robert Lewandowski at Camp Nou. According to reports from Spain, the club's management has already identified two potential successors for the Pole, and the name Marcus Rashford has emerged in the media as a realistic transfer target. Although Lewandowski remains a key figure in Flick's plans, his dip in form in recent matches has provoked discussion about the need to rejuvenate the squad. However, the club's financial situation is being improved by record results from the commercial department. UEFA published a report showing Barcelona earned 277 million euros from the sale of club products, making it unrivaled in Europe. 277 mln € — Barcelona earned from shirt and merchandise sales In the shadow of high-level football, Barcelona also faces image problems within the city itself, where prices for tourists are skyrocketing, affecting how the region is perceived by fans from Poland. Nevertheless, fan attention is focused on the next league match. Flick faces a dilemma: whether to rely on the experienced Pole in attack or give a chance to the dynamic Ferran Torres. Hope for fans comes from the impending return of Gavi, who has resumed training with the team. The match against Villarreal will be Hansi Flick's hundredth game as a top-level coach at Barcelona, providing an opportunity to compare his record with the club's legends. „Es ist eine weitere Verletzung, die unsere Pläne verkomplikaert, aber wir müssen bereit sein uns anzupassen und in jedem Spiel um die volle Punktzahl zu kämpfen.” (It's another injury that complicates our plans, but we must be ready to adapt and fight for the full three points in every game.) — Hansi Flick