Hansi Flick might flip to Barcelona’s reserve group for defensive reinforcements forward of their Champions League conflict towards PSG.
With Andreas Christensen already sidelined via damage, the German supervisor suffered one other blow when each s towards Actual Betis.
In keeping with journalist a, younger centre-back Alex Campos is rising because the main candidate to make the journey to Paris.
Barcelona presently have solely 5 first-team defenders out there, forcing Flick to contemplate options from Barça Atletic.
Alex Campos emerges as main candidate
Campos has impressed together with his performances at the beginning of the season, placing himself in a robust place to earn a possibility with the senior squad.
The younger defender’s type has not gone unnoticed, and he might obtain his maiden first-team call-up for one of many largest matches of the season.
Nevertheless, one other promising reserve-team defender, Hafiz Gariba, is unavailable for choice towards PSG.
Hafiz Gariba is unavailable for Barcelona towards PSG because of UEFA registration guidelines. (Picture courtesy: X/FCBMasia)
The teenager is ineligible for the Champions League till no less than January because of UEFA’s registration rules.
Below UEFA guidelines, younger gamers can function on Checklist B provided that they meet particular age and club-registration necessities, together with a qualifying interval with the membership.
Gamers who don’t meet these situations should as an alternative be registered on Checklist A, which can not usually be modified throughout the Champions League league section.
Gariba might due to this fact be unable to affix the primary group for Champions League matches till January on the earliest.
Flick faces one other check of Barcelona’s squad depth
Barcelona have repeatedly turned to the reserves when accidents and availability issues have affected the senior squad.
With solely 5 defenders out there, Flick has restricted room to rotate or reply to surprising setbacks towards PSG.
Campos might present helpful cowl, even when his speedy involvement is restricted to a spot on the bench.
Xavi Espart could have to vary flanks and begin at right-back towards PSG. (Picture by Alex Caparros/Getty Pictures)
Nevertheless, Barcelona should additionally watch out to not place an excessive amount of duty on a teenager throughout such a demanding European fixture.
For Campos, merely travelling with the senior squad would symbolize an encouraging step in his improvement.
Whereas he might present defensive cowl, Flick’s speedy problem is to make a again line of Xavi Espart, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin and Joao Cancelo work.
Gariba’s absence is unlucky, however Flick might flip to the academy defender for canopy towards Actual Madrid this weekend.
It stays to be seen how Flick units up his defence and whether or not Campos makes the journey to Paris.
