Barcelona have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of their Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, as Eric García and Jules Koundé have both been ruled out, forcing Hansi Flick to reshuffle his defensive line before a high-stakes week featuring European action and El Clásico.
According to an update from Catalan broadcaster TV3, Eric will also miss the upcoming match against Real Madrid, while the technical staff awaits developments regarding Gerard Martín, whose participation against Paris remains in doubt despite optimism that he will recover in time.
Eric is suffering from a quad injury in his right thigh, which flared up during the closing minutes of Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over Real Betis. The defender had come on at halftime to replace Gerard and scored the team’s fourth goal before being forced off, leaving Barcelona to finish the match with ten men as all substitutions had been used. The full extent of his lay-off has yet to be determined.
As for Koundé, he completed the match against Betis despite playing through discomfort, arriving at the Ciutat Esportiva training ground the following day with a noticeable limp, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. While a detailed diagnosis and his availability for El Clásico remain unconfirmed, his absence against Paris deprives Flick of a versatile option capable of operating at both right-back and center-back.
Gerard Martín’s condition appears less alarming; he is dealing with foot swelling following a heavy challenge against Betis, which prompted his precautionary substitution at the interval. Ensuring his fitness carries double importance, given his ability to partner Pau Cubarsí in central defense amid the shrinking alternatives available to the German manager.
These fresh setbacks arrive alongside the continued absence of Andreas Christensen, who is recovering from a rectus femoris muscle injury in his left thigh sustained against Sevilla in September. The Danish defender had been rotating in central defense before injury relegated him to the sidelines for several weeks.
Barcelona are also without Roony Bardghji, a long-term absentee recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his right knee. With Eric and Koundé added to the casualty list, Barcelona’s absentees for the Paris trip stand at four players, while Gerard remains doubtful rather than officially ruled out.
This predicament leaves Flick with limited defensive options: João Cancelo and Xavi Espart can cover the right flank, but compensating for central defensive absentees hinges heavily on Gerard’s readiness. The manager also retains the option of deploying Frenkie de Jong as a emergency center-back if necessary, though the Dutchman has only just returned from a knee injury.
On a brighter note, the return of Raphinha provides some attacking relief after his appearance against Betis, coinciding with De Jong’s return to the matchday squad. Barcelona visit the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, October 20, for the third round of the Champions League, before hosting Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday, October 25.
