Barcelona concerned about players’ excessive workload due to international fixtures | OneFootball

International breaks during the football season are rarely welcomed by clubs, and Barcelona are no exception.

Interestingly, according to a report from SPORT, the first international break of the season has already raised concerns for both the coaching staff and the Barça board.

Barcelona have enjoyed a stellar start to the campaign, winning all four of their opening La Liga fixtures. Under Hansi Flick, the team has displayed impressive form, dominating matches and positioning themselves as early contenders for the title after a dry spell last season.

Despite this strong start, the international break presents a significant issue that the club cannot overlook: the notorious “FIFA virus” is a threat in a season already overloaded with fixtures.

Excessive workload for the players

The Barça internationals who play for their countries during this break will have played a staggering 11 matches in just seven weeks, from mid-August to the end of September.

Such a demanding schedule could lead to fatigue and injuries, which is why both the coaching staff and management are worried.

Interestingly, as many as nine players from Barcelona’s first team have left to represent their countries: Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Pau Cubarsi, Pablo Torre (U21), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Jules Kounde (France), and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany).

Lamine Yamal played against Serbia despite a knock. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Even before the break, injuries had started to hit. Fermin Lopez had to return to Barcelona due to a muscle injury, and Hector Fort was forced to miss U19 training due to illness.

There are still matches to play

With the first round of international matches completed, only Ter Stegen remains to debut for Germany. Concerns have already surfaced regarding the physical toll on several key players.

Yamal, only 17 years old, played all of Barcelona’s matches, except for four minutes, and completed 90 minutes for Spain despite carrying a knock from a previous match.

Olmo, who played only part of Barcelona’s games, was subjected to harsh fouls during his 82 minutes on the pitch for Spain.

Lewandowski, still in excellent form at 36, has been another worry. With four goals in four games, he’s been crucial for Barça but has no natural replacement in the squad.

The Polish captain played over 70 minutes against Scotland, finishing the match with discomfort, which later turned into pain, forcing him to ask for a substitution.

Kounde was spared slightly, coming on as a substitute in France’s loss against Italy. Deschamps’ decision to use him sparingly was a welcome move, as he had played every minute under Flick for Barcelona so far.

As the final round of international games approaches, Barcelona is keeping a close eye on the health of their players, aware that this gruelling schedule could affect their performance in the crucial early stages of the season.

With 11 matches crammed into seven weeks, it’s a risk they cannot afford to take lightly.