BARCELONA
Barcelona injury update before LaLiga game against Girona: ter Stegen, Gavi, Martínez, Raphinha…
Xavi has only had 14 first-team players to work with this week ahead of facing Girona, level on points with Real Madrid.
Not for the first time this season, Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández has been short on numbers in training this week ahead of Sunday’s LaLiga game against joint leaders Girona. As a result of a number of players, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gavi, carrying injuries, seven youngsters (Ander Astralaga, Gerard Martín, Ángel Alarcón, Jaume Cuéllar, Mikayil, Pau Cubarsí and Héctor Fort) have taken part in first-team sessions.
Martínez and Alonso join ter Stegen and Gavi in the treatment room
Both goalkeeper ter Stegen and midfielder Gavi have undergone surgery recently and are set for lengthy spells on the sidelines. Centre-back Iñigo Martínez has suffered a hamstring injury and won’t be ready for the weekend, while Marcos Alonso has been struggling with a muscle problem, although the club haven’t commented on his availability. Fellow defender Andreas Christensen, meanwhile, was granted a second day off on Friday following the birth of his child.
Raphinha, Christensen and Araújo expected to be available
On Thursday, it appeared as if Raphinha’s participation against Girona could also be in doubt after he was only able to do some gym work, although he was back training with the rest of his teammates on Friday. Ronald Araújo, meanwhile, is expected to play on Sunday wearing a protective mask after fracturing his jaw in last weekend’s win over Atlético Madrid.
Xavi only had 14 players on Friday to work with ahead of the Girona clash, although Christensen should be back for the final session of the week on Saturday and Alonso could also be welcomed back into the fold. Nevertheless, a number of young players will again be part of the matchday squad at Montjuïc, with the list headed by Lamine Yamal and Fermín López, now first-team regulars.
Barcelona’s possible starting XI against Girona
The Barça coach is likely to name an uncharged starting line-up after a fine performance against Atleti. Martínez had been due to play from the off against Atlético but was injured in the warm-up, leading to Christensen keeping his place in defence.
With ter Stegen absent, Iñaki Peña will again start in goal, protected by a defence of Jules Koundé, Araújo, Christensen and João Cancelo. Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gündogan and Pedri are expected to make up the midfield three, with Raphinha and João Félix flanking Robert Lewandowski in attack.
Ferran Torres, Oriol Romeu, Sergi Roberto and Alejandro Balde are the other first-team players available and will take up four of the spots on the bench.