With Clement Lenglet out, Xavi is short on defenders

Xavi has defensive problems with Clement Lenglet’s injury seeing the Frenchman join Eric Garcia and Samuel Umtiti on the sidelines.

Against Atletico Madrid on Sunday he only has Gerard Pique and Ronald Araujo, plus the out of favour Oscar Mingueza.

Lenglet has a hamstring problem, while Umtiti has a fractured foot and Garcia a thigh issue.

Big games are coming, with Espanyol, Napoli and Valencia among upcoming opponents. In the B team Arnau Comas has Covid, leaving Mika Marmol and Ramos Mingo.

Barcelona train again on Friday 4 at 11am ahead of the Atletico clash and other intense matches in February. 

We’ll have to see what Xavi comes up with, but it looks like three at the back formations are out of the picture for a while.