Hansi Flick has trusted experienced defender Inigo Martinez and rookie player Pau Cubarsi to start at center-back for his FC Barcelona club this season due to the injuries sustained by two of his key defenders, Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen.
Both players, who are among those with the most minutes played, have proven essential to the squad.
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Martínez leads the team and Cubarsí comes in fifth with 1,352 minutes.
However, as a number of injured center-backs are getting closer to fully recovering, Hansi Flick will soon have more alternatives in this crucial area.
Eric Garcia’s case is the most progressed. He can rejoin the team for the forthcoming match against Celta de Vigo. The Spaniard has been out for the last month due to an adductor injury sustained during the warm-up for the Sevilla match.
When Garcia recovers from his injury, he will resume his natural position in the middle of the defense, despite having played as a midfield pivot earlier in the season.
Likewise, the Barcelona coach is eagerly awaiting Ronald Araujo’s comeback.
He can return to the pitch in December, most likely for the mid-month encounter against Leganes, since he is already nearing the end of his recovery.
It’s also possible to play in the previous game versus Mallorca, reports Barca News.
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