FC Barcelona are currently training to face Cadiz in their second match of the La Liga 2023-24 campaign. However, the Catalans will be missing some of their players for this clash, including the recently signed defender, Inigo Martinez.
Previously, it was reported that Inigo Martinez has participated and completed part of the group training as Xavi’s squad is preparing for the match against Cadiz. However, the player is still not fully recovered and it will take him some time before he returns to action.
According to a report from Diario AS, Martinez will still need around 10 days to be fully fit. Thus, he will definitely not be available for selection in the upcoming La Liga match this Sunday. The earliest that Xavi can use him would thus be in the match against Villarreal, in the third matchday of this La Liga campaign.
Barcelona’s defense getting thinner
Inigo Martinez joined Barcelona as a free agent, but he came with a plantar fasciitis problem, which has not allowed the defender to train with his teammates, let alone participate in a competitive match. He is nearing recovery, but Xavi will have to be a bit more patient as the defender still needs time to get to 100% fitness.
However, remaining patience would not be the easiest thing to do for Xavi, as his defensive line is getting thin. Today, it was confirmed that Ronald Araujo has suffered a hamstring injury in training, which will keep the Uruguayan out of action for around a month. Thus, Xavi has lost one of his most trusted defenders to injury.
Furthermore, Marcos Alonso is yet to be registered with La Liga, along with Inigo Martinez himself and the goalkeeper, Inaki Pena. Barcelona expect to register Alonso before the Cadiz match, but if the club is somehow unable to do it, Xavi will only be left with Christensen, Kounde, and Eric Garcia for the center-back positions.
