Barcelona have announced that defender Eric Garcia faces a three-to-four-week spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury, whereas teammate Jules Kounde remains doubtful for the upcoming El Clásico clash against Real Madrid after picking up an ankle sprain.
The Spanish champions announced the injuries in a post on their official X account following Saturday’s 5-2 victory over Real Betis, with both defenders picking up knocks during the match.
Barcelona said Garcia has suffered an injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh, with his recovery expected to take three to four weeks.
“First-team player Eric Garcia has suffered a muscle injury to the rectus femoris in his right thigh. His recovery time is estimated at 3 to 4 weeks,” the club stated.
Kounde, meanwhile, has sustained a sprain to his left ankle and will miss Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.
“First-team player Jules Kounde has suffered a sprain to his left ankle and will miss the match against PSG. His availability for Sunday’s Clásico against Real Madrid will depend on how his injury progresses,” Barcelona added.
The injuries come at a crucial stage of the season for Barcelona, who face PSG in the Champions League before hosting arch-rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico on October 25.
Barcelona remain unbeaten this season, having continued their winning run with the 5-2 victory over Real Betis. However, Garcia’s absence for several weeks and uncertainty over Kounde’s availability for the Madrid clash pose defensive concerns for manager Hansi Flick ahead of the two high-profile fixtures.
What You Should Know
Barcelona are dealing with significant defensive worries as two key players pick up injuries right before crucial matches against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
- Positive Impact: Squad rotation could offer rising talents and bench players an opportunity to prove their worth on the pitch.
- Potential Concerns: Manager Hansi Flick faces defensive vulnerabilities during a demanding stretch of high-profile fixtures.
