Barcelona returned to Sant Joan Despí with the after-effects of their trip to Betis still visible, arriving at the Ciutat Esportiva 14 hours later than planned and sending three defenders for medical examinations. The timing is awkward: Paris Saint-Germain await on Tuesday evening, before Real Madrid come to Barcelona next Sunday.
Eric García has suffered the most serious setback. The defender, who scored in the match against Betis before leaving the field late on, has sustained a muscle injury to the rectus femoris in his right thigh. His expected absence is between three and four weeks.
That rules García out of the Paris trip and the meeting with Madrid, while Barcelona will also be without him for fixtures against Alavés, Aston Villa and Atlético de Madrid. The run takes the club to the next international break of the season, leaving the squad to manage a demanding sequence without one of its defensive options.
Paris availability remains unsettled
Jules Koundé will not travel to face PSG after finishing the Betis game with a sprain to his left ankle. He arrived at the training base with a pronounced limp, and his progress will now be monitored ahead of the Madrid match. Barcelona have confirmed that his availability for the Sunday night encounter remains uncertain.
Gerard Martín is in a different position. He was replaced at half-time against Betis, with García taking his place, after developing inflammation in his foot. Barcelona expect him to be available in the French capital, although the next 48 hours will determine whether the discomfort settles sufficiently for him to feature.
For Barcelona, the journey from Andalusia has therefore carried a costly return. Paris offers little time for recovery, and the league’s great domestic appointment follows almost immediately, with García already absent and Koundé still racing the calendar.
