Sports · Football · 9 hrs ago
Barcelona face defensive shortage before Champions League match against PSG
Barcelona will face PSG in Paris on Tuesday in a Champions League match with several defenders unavailable.
Jules Koundé is ruled out, while Eric Garcia has a muscle injury and is expected to miss three to four weeks, including the match against Real Madrid.
Their absences add to Andreas Christensen’s existing injury, leaving coach Hansi Flick short of defensive options.
One account says Barcelona have five fit first-team defenders, though Gerard Martín’s availability for Paris remains uncertain as he recovers from foot inflammation.
Academy player Álex Campos could join the squad; he has played all season for Barcelona’s reserve team and is eligible for European competition.
Another reserve defender, Hafiz Gariba, cannot play because he is not registered for the competition.
Barcelona also face a disrupted schedule, after a storm delayed their return from Seville and left them with little rest before travelling to Paris.
Barcelona will be without Jules Koundé and Eric Garcia for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.
Their absences add to the unavailability of Andreas Christensen, leaving coach Hansi Flick with few defensive options.
SPORT reports that five first-team defenders are available, while Mundo Deportivo says Gerard Martín is expected to be fit but his condition will be monitored.
The coaching staff is considering alternative defensive arrangements and may call up Alex Campos from the reserve team.
Barcelona’s travel plans were disrupted by a storm, and the team is due to fly to Paris on Monday.
- Who
- Barcelona, coached by Hansi Flick, and Paris Saint-Germain.
- What
- Barcelona face a defensive shortage ahead of their Champions League match against PSG.
- When
- Tuesday; the articles do not state the calendar date of the match.
- Where
- Parc des Princes in Paris.
- Why
- Jules Koundé and Eric Garcia are unavailable with injuries, and Andreas Christensen is also unavailable.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A storm delayed Barcelona’s departure from Seville, leaving the team waiting on the plane for three hours before it spent the night in Andalusia.
Barcelona landed in the city at 14:00, and medical tests confirmed that Koundé and Eric Garcia would miss the PSG match.
Barcelona’s team is scheduled to fly to Paris.
Barcelona are due to play PSG in the Champions League.
- Unavailable defenders
- Jules Koundé, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen
- Available first-team defenders
- SPORT lists Joao Cancelo, Xavi Espart, Gerard Martín, Pau Cubarsí and Alejandro Balde
- Possible reserve call-up
- Alex Campos
- Eric Garcia injury
- Muscle injury in the right thigh’s rectus femoris; expected absence of three to four weeks
- Travel to Paris
- Scheduled flight on Monday at 10:30