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Bisiwu Sits Out as Barcelona Chase Perfect Record

By Sports Desk · 2026-09-12 · 3 min read
A green grass football pitch with white boundary lines and a goal net in the background
Illustration: Tradingbird

The grass at Joan Gamper glistens under the morning sun, but one pair of trainers sits idle on the sideline. Jesse Bisiwu watches from the bench, his right leg still healing, while the Blaugrana engine roars toward a fifth straight win.

The air at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper hums with the friction of cleats biting into wet turf. It is Saturday, and FC Barcelona moves through its final drill before the Sunday clash with Levante. The squad is a machine calibrated for perfection, having won all four league matches and scored seventeen times while conceding only two. This rhythm carried them into a 5-1 demolition of Feyenoord in the Champions League, leaving a trail of momentum that feels almost tangible in the stadium atmosphere.

On the opposite side of the training ground, the pace slows to a solitary walk. Jesse Bisiwu, the 18-year-old Belgian winger, trains alone in trainers rather than boots. A knock to his right leg sustained in the Copa Catalunya final against Sabadell still lingers, a physical tether keeping him grounded while his new teammates explode into shape. The debut he has been waiting for remains just out of reach, suspended in the air like a ball that never quite lands.

Caution Overcomes Eager Anticipation

Bureaucratic hurdles regarding his registration were cleared earlier in the week, opening the door to a potential squad inclusion. Yet, the club’s medical staff and coaching team have drawn a firm line in the sand. According to Yahoo Sports, the decision is rooted in a strict risk-averse strategy. They are not willing to gamble with the young player’s long-term development for the sake of a single appearance. The priority is a full recovery, a return to full physical capacity, before he steps onto the pitch in a competitive setting.

This cautious approach extends beyond the first team. There is even a possibility that Bisiwu will be left out of the Barça Atletic squad for their trip to Logroño Promesas. The club is easing him back into rhythm gradually, preferring controlled sessions over high-intensity matches. For now, the Belgian’s story is one of patience, a quiet buildup of strength in the gym and on the sideline while the game roars on without him.

Injuries Shape Sunday Lineup

While Bisiwu’s absence is preventative, other players carry visible marks of recent battles. Eric Garcia, who suffered a fractured nasal septum in a collision with Rodri against Valencia, continues his training with a protective mask strapped over his face. The plastic shield is a stark reminder of the physicality involved, yet it does not diminish his readiness. He is available for selection and is expected to start the match against Levante, his presence a testament to resilience.

The session also offered glimpses of other minor issues. Joao Cancelo was spotted with a bandage wrapped around one hand, a small detail in an otherwise dominant performance week. Rodri, meanwhile, had a frantic moment, arriving late to the pitch and sprinting to join the group just in time. These small moments, the bandages, the masks, the late arrivals, weave together to form the texture of a team that is physically taxed but mentally sharp, ready to defend their perfect record on the road.

Momentum Drives Team Forward

As the training session concludes, the focus shifts to the journey to the Ciutat de Valencia. The Blaugrana arrive with a 100% league record and a surge of confidence from their European victory. The absence of Bisiwu is a calculated sacrifice, a strategic pause in his debut narrative. The team moves forward, united in their goal, leaving the young winger to heal in the shadows, knowing his time will come when the body is ready to match the ambition.

Based on reporting by Yahoo Sports, compiled by the Tradingbird desk.

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