Despite the constant drama within the club, Hansi Flick has positioned Barcelona as a legitimate league and European title contender in 2025/26.

As the calendar turned to the new year, Barcelona were four points clear at the top of the La Liga standings, and lifted the Supercopa de Espana trophy with another memorable Clasico win over Real Madrid.

A 4-1 win over Copenhagen on the final matchday of the league phase secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16 this week.

Part of Flick’s success has been down to squad fitness, something Barcelona has struggled with over recent seasons. Largely, the Catalan club has enjoyed a strong bill of health, albeit with a few lingering concerns.

The Sporting News details how Barcelona fare from an injury perspective as they jaunt through the early part of 2026.

MORE: An updated look at the 2025/26 La Liga top goal scorers list

Barcelona injury list

Below is the latest injury picture for Real Madrid, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Pedri

• Injury: Hamstring
• Expected return date: February 22 (vs. Levante)

Pedri was substituted in the 4-2 Champions League win over Slavia Prague, and the club later confirmed he had suffered a hamstring injury that would likely sideline him for a month. He is expected to miss the next six games but could return for the La Liga match with Levante, which is provisionally scheduled for February 22.

Gavi

• Injury: Meniscus damage (right knee)
• Expected return date: February

Gavi suffered damage to his right knee during an August training session. The midfielder avoided an ACL tear but required surgery to repair the meniscus. He’s expected to face five months on the sidelines.

That would put him in line to return to the pitch in February. It seems he is on track for that timeline, as Hansi Flick said in late January that Gavi had returned to training. “He has a long career ahead of him, and there’s no need to rush,” Flick cautioned. The club will clearly take its time with his reintegration back into full match fitness.

Andreas Christensen

• Injury: Partial ACL tear (left knee)
• Expected return date: April

The Denmark international picked up a serious knee injury during a training session before a match against Villarreal in late December. While he does not need surgery, it will take some time before he will return. The expectation is that he will be sidelined for four months to recover.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs. Elche

Formation: 4-2-3-1

J. Garcia (GK)

Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Balde

De Jong, E. Garcia

Lamine Yamal, Lopez, Raphinha

Torres

Barcelona fixture schedule: Next five games

Barca have two games on the road in domestic competition after beating Copenhagen.

• Elche vs. Barcelona | La Liga | Saturday, January 31
• Albacete vs. Barcelona | Copa del Rey quarterfinal | Tuesday, February 3
• Barcelona vs. Mallorca | La Liga | Saturday, February 7
• Girona vs. Barcelona | La Liga | Monday, February 16
• Barcelona vs. Levante | La Liga | Sunday, February 22