Injury Updates Ahead of Real Madrid-Barcelona Clash on Sunday

Real Madrid will face Barcelona in the highly anticipated first Clásico of the season on Sunday, October 8, 2023. The match will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu, with kick-off scheduled for 11:15 a.m. ET. Both teams are grappling with injury concerns as they prepare for this critical LaLiga encounter. Madrid currently sits two points ahead of Barcelona at the top of the table, having both played nine league games this season.

Madrid coach Xabi Alonso is eager to return several key players to his squad for this crucial fixture. However, he acknowledges that the match may come too soon for at least two important defenders. Barcelona’s manager Hansi Flick is also looking to bolster his lineup, hoping to welcome back two players, although he will have to manage at least five significant absences.

Injury updates for Real Madrid indicate that defender Will Huijsen could make a return after missing Spain’s recent matches against Georgia and Bulgaria, as well as Madrid’s match against Getafe due to a calf muscle injury. According to sources close to the situation, he could be fit for selection this weekend. Initially, there were hopes he might play against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, but he was ultimately rested to reduce the risk of a relapse.

On October 8, Madrid’s medical team estimated that the 20-year-old would be sidelined for 12 to 15 days, positioning him for a potential return in time for the Clásico. His condition is reportedly improving, and there is optimism surrounding his participation on Sunday. Additionally, Raúl Asencio left the field with muscle discomfort during the recent victory over Juventus, but club sources confirmed he did not sustain an injury and could be an option to partner with Eder Militão if Huijsen is unavailable.

Madrid also faces uncertainty regarding the fitness of Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Both players have participated in group training but were not included in the squad against Juventus. Carvajal suffered a calf injury during the 5-2 defeat to Atlético Madrid on September 27, while Alexander-Arnold has been dealing with a hamstring injury sustained in the Champions League opener against Marseille.

The club is cautious with both players, with sources suggesting they may be named in the squad but are unlikely to start. Dani Ceballos remains a doubt for the match, having missed the Juventus game due to muscle discomfort. In contrast, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba are confirmed absentees. Rüdiger is recovering from a thigh injury, while Alaba will miss the match due to a calf strain sustained in the recent league game.

On the other side, Barcelona is also dealing with injury challenges, although there is positive news regarding the potential return of players. Despite not participating in training sessions, Spain forward Ferran Torres was included in the squad for the Champions League match against Olympiacos. He did not play in the 6-1 victory but is expected to be available for the Clásico.

Flick is hopeful that both Andreas Christensen and Raphinha will return for the match against Madrid. Christensen missed the Olympiacos game due to illness, but reports suggest he could be fit again soon. Raphinha, who suffered an injury on September 25, has faced complications in his recovery but is expected to be included in the traveling squad.

Unfortunately for Barcelona, key players Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski will not participate, having sustained injuries during international duty. Olmo is sidelined with a calf injury, while Lewandowski is recovering from a torn hamstring. Both are anticipated to return by mid-November.

The situation is further complicated by the absence of goalkeeper Joan García, who is expected to miss the Clásico due to a reported injury sustained shortly before the match. Additionally, long-term absentees Marc-André ter Stegen and Gavi are also out, with ter Stegen’s return not expected until 2026, while Gavi aims to be back by March or April.

As both teams finalize their preparations, the stakes are high for this season’s first Clásico. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on player fitness as the match approaches, with both managers needing to navigate these injury challenges to secure a vital victory in LaLiga.