Up next for Barcelona is their very first encounter of the season in the Copa Del Ray. La Blaugrana head into the competition as the record winners and will have a great chance of competing for a major title. However, there are definitely some problems for Barcelona heading into their next match.
Taking on Barbastro, the Catalan giants will be playing away from home in the Round of 32. However, beyond just the game being away from the Montjuic Stadium, there are casualties as well. Lamine Yamal, for instance, will not be able to take part due to a previous suspension.
Moreover, Joao Cancelo has now also been sidelined due to an MCL injury sustained against Las Palmas. Unfortunately, that is not all. According to the latest update from Victor Navarro, Alejandro Balde also missed the latest training session conducted by FC Barcelona.
As per his tweet, Navarro explains that reason for his absence is illness. For now, no further information is available as to what exactly the illness is, but the alarm bells must already be ringing. Despite the difference in quality between the two competitors, Barcelona are still just as vulnerable as Barbastro.
In the event that Alejandro Balde does not make it to the game, Barcelona are left without Marcos Alonso, Joao Cancelo, and the La Masia gem himself. With both Spanish left-backs out, the first team has no more natural replacements. Moreover, Cancelo was the only player able to adapt as a left-back when needed.
For now, it is not a given that the player ends up missing the encounter entirely. However, since he only has a day left to recover, time is not exactly on his side. Xavi, for one, will be quite worried about just how to field his team in the event that Balde is unavailable for selection.
One positive for Barcelona will definitely be the return of Inigo Martinez. The left-footed central defender is set to be included in the squad and possibly even start. Despite not being a natural left-back, Xavi could possible make use of him for once in the face of a potential emergency.
