Real Oviedo vs FC Barcelona: Uncomfortable start for Flick's team with the obligation to win

FC Barcelona returns to action in LaLiga 2025/26 this Thursday against Real Oviedo (21:30 CEST). Hansi Flick's team visits the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in their fourth away game of the season, being the first visit to 'carbayón' territory in 24 years. For the sixth matchday, the 'azulgrana' team arrives with four significant absences due to injury.

As in the last three matches, the 'culés' will not be able to count on Lamine Yamal, Gavi, nor Alejandro Balde due to injury. Fermín López joined them this week, while the Andalusian midfielder received the harsh news of missing the next 4-5 months of the season due to problems in the internal meniscus of his right knee.

In addition, the 'culés' will have less than 72 hours of rest for Sunday's match against Real Sociedad (18:30 CEST). The 'azulgrana' team has played five matches in the last 12 days and still has to overcome another couple of La Liga matchdays and one in the Champions League before the next international break.

• 📺 Where and when to watch the match: the channels that broadcast the Oviedo-Barça SEE

Barcelona seeks its fifth victory in LaLiga and to extend its unbeaten run away from home

Although it is an uncomfortable start, the difference between both teams is abysmal. Oviedo has barely scored one goal in the previous five matchdays of LaLiga, a goal by Leander Dendoncker that, precisely, was worth the only victory in the tournament for the 'carbayones', against Real Sociedad (1-0).

The Asturian team has one win and four losses, with 8 goals conceded. Barça, on the other hand, is the highest-scoring team in the tournament, with 16 goals (3.2 per match) and 13 out of 15 possible points. Flick's team only stumbled against Rayo on matchday 3 (1-1) and has kept a clean sheet in the last two matches.

• *Champions League match
• S: Venue
• H: Home
• A: Away

For now, Joan García has only conceded 3 goals in five matches, with three clean sheets. In addition, the 'azulgrana' team has not lost a La Liga match away from home since November 2024, that is, more than ten months ago. The streak since then is 13 matches unbeaten, with 9 wins and 4 draws.

Last season, only Osasuna (4-2) and Real Sociedad (1-0) managed to defeat Barça in their respective home grounds. Something that Oviedo has not achieved since the 1999/2000 season (3-0), their penultimate in Primera before falling into an acute crisis that almost led to their disappearance.

Hansi Flick prepares more rotations in the Oviedo-Barça match

Barcelona players in the preview of the match against Valencia (6-0).

In the press conference prior to the match in Oviedo, Hansi Flick reiterated his intention to continue rotating to deal not only with the absences due to injury, but also with a very tight schedule. This Thursday, it is likely that the pair of starting center-backs will change again, perhaps with the return of Pau Cubarsí and/or Ronald Araujo, both substitutes against Getafe.

Eric García, for the moment, has been a starter in the previous five La Liga matchdays and could return to the right side, this provided that Flick decides to give Jules Koundé a rest. On the left, without Alejandro Balde available, there is no other option than to keep Gerard Martín there.

Joan García, for his part, will repeat in goal, while Pedri must remain in midfield alongside Dani Olmo. The Canary Islander, this time, could rely on Marc Casadó as a defensive pivot, this so that Frenkie de Jong has a day of rest. Marc Bernal, for his part, will wait for his opportunity on the bench, with Gavi and Fermín López KO.

In attack, logic points to returning Marcus Rashford to the XI, a substitute on Sunday for arriving two minutes late to the activation session prior to the match. Alongside him would be Raphinha and Ferran Torres, the latter author of a brace against Getafe. Robert Lewandowski and Roony Bardghji would again go to the bench, while Lamine Yamal works to overcome his pubalgia.

• ℹ️ Lineups: the possible starting XIs of FC Barcelona and Real Oviedo: SEE

Barça arrives with five absences due to injury at the Carlos Tartiere

Fermín López in a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva

The player from Mataró, for the fourth consecutive match, will be out with Barcelona, although now his return is much closer. The '10' hopes to reappear on Sunday against Real Sociedad, probably in the second half, adding some minutes prior to the Champions League match against PSG.

Flick has a similar plan with Balde, who has been working at the Ciutat Esportiva for several days. The '3' awaits medical clearance from his injury in the right thigh, while Fermín, for sure, will be out until after the October break. The '16' has three weeks out due to an injury in the left iliopsoas.

Much less encouraging is the prognosis with Gavi. The midfielder will be out for 4 to 5 months after undergoing a new intervention in the internal meniscus of his right knee. Along with Ter Stegen, the '6' is a long-term absence, although the German still hopes to receive medical clearance this year. The Andalusian, on the other hand, must wait until February-March 2026.

• 📋 Squad list: the list of Barcelona players called up for the match: SEE

Real Oviedo seeks to relive its best years against Barcelona

Similarly, the 'carbayones' arrive at the match against Barcelona with three significant absences. Fede Viñas still has to serve another match of suspension, while the midfielder Ovie Ejaria and the right-back Nacho Vidal are out due to injury. The center-back David Costas is also doubtful, although he could be available on matchday 6, at least from the bench.

In any case, those of Veljko Paunovic arrive with the illusion of reliving golden eras at the Carlos Tartiere. During the 90s, the Asturian team added up to four victories against Barça, in addition to a draw. Not in vain, the 'culés' have more defeats (20) than victories (11) in Oviedo's field after 38 visits. Will there be a miracle this Thursday?

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