Barcelona Assess Eric Garcia, Gerard Martin and Kounde Fitness Before PSG
Barcelona’s 5-2 win at Betis brought an important attacking statement in Seville, but Hansi Flick left the match concerned by fresh fitness problems ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Paris Saint-Germain. Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin were both withdrawn with discomfort, while Jules Kounde is also managing a minor issue.
Barcelona’s defensive concerns after Betis win
The result maintained Barcelona’s momentum, yet the immediate priority has shifted to the condition of several defenders during a short turnaround before the European fixture.
- Eric Garcia went off after feeling acute pain in his right quadriceps.
- Gerard Martin was also unable to finish the match because of physical discomfort.
- Jules Kounde has a minor problem that will require assessment before the PSG game.
Garcia’s exit was the most alarming development. The Spanish defender, a frequent option in Flick’s selections, received treatment on the pitch after going down before he was taken to the dressing room. He had recently been playing in a protective mask following a nasal complaint.
Barcelona will use the recovery sessions at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper to assess the three players. A final call on the travelling squad is expected only after the medical staff have completed their checks.
Flick urges caution before PSG
Flick did not offer assurances over any of Garcia, Kounde or Martin when discussing the next match. He stressed that recovery would dictate both the available squad and his decisions over minutes on Tuesday.
The Barcelona manager said the team first needed to recover properly, adding that the staff would wait for medical results before deciding how to handle the defensive absences. With two days remaining before PSG, Flick said the club would evaluate the situation before settling on his starting XI.
He also underlined the importance of managing the group rather than simply carrying the same players through another demanding fixture. Barcelona’s players have trained at a high level, he said, but the PSG match requires careful physical preparation after the Betis victory.
Set-piece work helps secure the points
While injuries dominated the post-match discussion, Flick was pleased with the way his side turned their training-ground work into a decisive advantage in Seville. Barcelona scored their second goal before half-time, giving themselves a two-goal margin that helped shape the contest.
The coach identified set pieces as an area in which his side has improved and credited members of his staff for that progress. He singled out Heiko Westermann and Jose Ramon de la Fuente for their work on dead-ball situations.
Flick described the second goal before the interval as particularly significant and said Barcelona need to retain that threat from set plays. The focus now moves quickly from an emphatic domestic win to the condition of a defensive group facing an immediate test against PSG.
