Barcelona have been dealing with a bunch of injury issues this season, much like most other top teams across the continent.
The Catalans did not have the services of Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, and Pedri for a large chunk of the first half of the season, and when the trio returned, they are now left without Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Inigo Martinez.
Gavi’s absence is inarguably the biggest blow for the team, given the campaign he was having as debatably the best player for Barcelona.
Most recently, though, Barça have received another blow to their squad as Marcos Alonso has picked up a back injury. The Spaniard will be out indefinitely, and his recovery will determine his availability.
LATEST NEWS | First team player Marcos Alonso has lower back pain. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability. pic.twitter.com/xAW04NQTNH
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 10, 2023
On this end, he has also been ruled out of the game against Girona tonight, along with Inigo Martinez. Xavi has, therefore, called up 16-year-old highly talented Pau Cubarsi to cover in defence.
While Alonso’s injury is far from concerning for Barcelona fans, it is clear that Xavi prefers to play with a left-footed centre-back as part of his back-four. The growing importance of Inigo in the team, especially over Andreas Christensen is further proof of the same.
Further, while Alonso was a semi-important part of Xavi’s setup last season, the introduction of Inigo coupled with Joao Cancelo covering at left-back has meant that the 32-year-old has been reduced to just four games this season, including two starts.
His contract clocks up next summer, and while the player insists on staying, Barcelona will likely let him leave on a Bosman move to make space for other players in the team, such as Cancelo and possibly even Joao Felix.
