Barcelona received news that could reshape the rest of 2025. Patri Guijarro suffered a stress fracture in the scaphoid bone of her right foot and will be sidelined for up to 12 weeks. It’s a loss that weighs heavier than it seems. The midfielder is an essential part of Pere Romeu’s tactical setup and one of the team’s leaders. The injury happened during the Champions League win over Roma, when Patri was substituted shortly after Alexia Putellas scored the third goal. Her absence forces the coach to reorganize the midfield.
A loss the squad can’t hide
Patri is the kind of player who connects every part of the field. She plays with balance, intelligence, and gives the team rhythm when the game needs control. Alongside Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, she formed the trio that gave Barcelona stability and tempo. Now, with the fracture, the team loses one of its key technical and tactical references. Pere Romeu will have to find quick solutions. Clara Serrajordi replaced her against Roma, while Sydney Schertenleib is also an option. Still, it’s hard to imagine the team won’t feel her absence.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Patri’s injury comes as Barcelona faces a demanding stretch of matches. She’ll miss El Clásico and the game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Just two weeks ago, the team had already lost Ewa Pajor for a short period.
A talented but thin squad
Even with one of the strongest teams in Europe, Barcelona’s depth is a growing concern. The starting lineup is elite, but the bench options remain limited. That became clear in the last transfer window, when the club lost key players and couldn’t sign replacements due to financial restrictions. The lack of depth becomes even more evident when injuries strike. Pere Romeu will need to improvise once again, just as he did when Pajor went down.
The coach has praised the attitude of the substitutes but knows he’ll need to adjust the team’s system. Without Patri, the side could lose part of the fluency that defines its style. She’s a player who understands when to speed things up or slow them down, when to close spaces or start an attack. Replacing that level of awareness is no simple task.
Fans trust that Barcelona can maintain its high level, but they also recognize the risk of overloading players like Aitana and Alexia. The physical strain is inevitable, and the season is far from over.