The coach has fielded eight defenders, with four center-back pairings, and 13 different forwards in the 13 official matches.
Since Hansi Flick became Barça's coach, injuries have been one of his main headaches. It is a problem that has had significant consequences. The accumulation, variety, and severity of the injuries have affected the management of the team and all its lineups. Eleven players from the current squad have been or are currently sidelined, compared to nine in the same period last season. The latest is Pedri, the only player to have started in all 13 official matches.
During the German's tenure, from August 2024 to October 2025, Barça has suffered 38 recorded injuries. This figure represents between two and three injuries per month. So far this season, the average is five, although since the fourth matchday against Valencia (6), the numbers have risen: Newcastle (5), Getafe (5), Oviedo (5), Real Sociedad (6), PSG (5), Sevilla (6), Girona (7). Olympiacos (6) and Real Madrid (7).
So many injuries have forced Flick to make a lot of changes to the team. He has not repeated any consecutive starting lineups, but what is most striking is that in attack, the German coach has had to work hard. He has fielded up to 13 different forwards, including the attacking midfielder, due to the various absences. This is the most remarkable thing.
In defense, Flick has changed goalkeepers due to Joan Garcia's injury, which added to Ter Stegen's injury from the start. The former Espanyol player has been out for six games; Balde has been out for five and Christensen for two due to gastroenteritis. And although there have been few, Flick has fielded eight different defenders. In this case, too, because he has not been convinced by the center-back pairing. Eric Garcia has moved from right-back to center-back, and Gerard Martín has combined games with Balde at left-back. Four different center-back pairings, with Araujo-Cubarsí and Eric-Cubarsí being the most used.
In the double pivot, in the German's most common formation, there have been two tandems: De Jong-Pedri, the most frequent with eight appearances out of a possible 13, and Casadó-Pedri, in five, when the Dutchman has been unable to play. Gavi's absence in 11 games is significant.
It is in attack where so much movement has been very noticeable. Incorporating the attacking midfielder, up to 13 different attacks in 13 games, which has even led to some players occupying positions that are not their own. The main cause, of course, has been injuries. Fermín has missed four games; Lewandowski and Olmo have missed three; Lamine has missed five; Raphinha has missed seven; and Ferran has missed one. Rashford and Toni Fernández have played as ‘9’.