Barcelona is facing challenges ahead of their upcoming match against Espanyol, with a key star missing from training. Meanwhile, the club has tempered expectations for the January transfer window, citing financial constraints and a tight wage structure. Despite some players expected to return from injury, including Araujo and Christensen, the team is unlikely to make significant moves due to limited resources.
Barcelona Star Absent from Training Before Espanyol Match
Barcelona continues to be without a key first-team player as they prepare for this weekend’s Derbi Barceloní.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Eric García is the player in question.
Eric has been out of action since earlier this month after having to leave the pre-match warm-up ahead of Barcelona’s game against Sevilla.
The Spaniard was then omitted from Hansi Flick’s squad for the midweek clash with Bayern Munich and last weekend’s heavy defeat to Real Madrid.
After the Blaugrana players completed their post-Clásico recovery session, Eric Garcia was seen rejoining the group, sparking hopes that he might receive medical clearance to play in Barcelona’s upcoming match against Espanyol on Sunday. His return to training had raised optimism among the coaching staff and fans, especially considering the team’s ongoing defensive concerns.
However, it came as a surprise on Wednesday when it was revealed that the former Manchester City defender was once again absent from group activities. This unexpected setback has cast doubt on his fitness and availability for the weekend fixture, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Barcelona’s defensive lineup ahead of the match.
According to a report by Mundo Deportivo:
‘Hansi Flick led a session in which Eric Garcia did not yet participate. The Martorell native has not yet completely overcome the physical problems he suffered in the warm-up for the match against Sevilla.’
There is still optimism that Eric will ultimately be cleared to play in the derby.
Barcelona Sets Low Expectations for January Transfer Window
Barcelona were pushed to their limits this summer, relying on the injuries of Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen to register Pau Victor and Dani Olmo under an emergency rule. They have since signed Wojciech Szczesny to replace Marc-André ter Stegen using the same process.
Despite the praise from President Joan Laporta and La Liga President Javier Tebas about the club’s efforts, Barcelona is still far beyond their wage limit and has limited financial flexibility, according to Sport. As a result, Sporting Director Deco is expected to have little room to maneuver in the transfer market.
The primary goal is to get Andreas Christensen fit and registered again, giving Hansi Flick additional depth in defense. While Ronald Araujo is expected to return soon, the need to deploy Jules Kounde at right-back and Eric Garcia in midfield has left Flick with fewer options than expected. As a result, he has frequently turned to Sergio Dominguez from Barca Atletic.
The Catalan newspaper reports that Andreas Christensen needs to be re-registered with Barcelona in January, which has raised some questions regarding the club’s registration plans. However, other sources have suggested that it is not Christensen but rather new signings Dani Olmo and Victor who must be officially registered for the upcoming transfer window. The confusion highlights the complex nature of Barcelona’s financial and registration situation, as the club must navigate both wage limits and player registrations to ensure they comply with La Liga’s regulations.
Regardless of the registration issues, there is some positive news on the injury front. Ronald Araujo is expected to return to action once he fully recovers from his injury, and the same is true for Christensen, who is anticipated to be fit for selection once his rehabilitation is complete. Barcelona will be hoping that both players can return to full fitness in time to bolster their defense as the team faces a busy second half of the season. Their return would be a much-needed boost for the squad, which has been struggling with depth in defense due to ongoing injury concerns.
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