Barcelona fears that the current international break could impact the perfect start the team has achieved this season, having won all 8 of their matches before the break, as a large number of players head off to represent their national teams.
According to the Spanish newspaper "Sport," Barcelona is concerned about increased physical load on its players due to the succession of matches with their clubs and national teams, especially since the team faces a congested schedule after the international break ends.
The concerns are heightened by the physical condition of some key players, most notably Brazilian Raphinha, who returned to Barcelona after suffering a muscular issue during his participation with his national team against Australia.
Raphinha felt pain in his right thigh during the match, leaving the field at halftime, before tests revealed a minor muscle edema in the back of the thigh.
The tests did not show a serious injury, but the player returned to Barcelona early as a precautionary measure.
Raphinha's situation represents a source of concern for Barcelona, particularly as he has been one of the team's standout stars since the beginning of the season, scoring 14 goals in the first 8 matches with the club, making him an essential element in the attack.
Barcelona's worries are not limited to Raphinha, given that national teams rely on a large number of the club's players during the current break, including Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Rodri, who play important roles for the Spanish national team, alongside young Egyptian striker Hamza Abdel Karim.
Anthony Gordon also participates with the England national team, having become one of the important elements in Barcelona's lineup recently, which increases the number of key players playing international matches before returning to club competitions.
Barcelona had achieved 7 victories in La Liga and also won the match they played in the Champions League.
Barcelona returns to domestic competitions on October 10, when they host Getafe, in what will be the team's first match after the end of the international break.
