Barca facing defensive crisis: Who is available to play against Osasuna?

Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images

Problems for Hansi Flick

Barcelona are due to play Osasuna next Thursday in a rearranged game in La Liga, with the new date having caused plenty of controversy.

It is set to go ahead but comes at a bad time, as Barcelona have lots of issues when it comes to center-backs.

Let’s take a look at who might be able to play:

Pau Cubarsi

Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images

Cubarsi was forced off with an ankle knock against the Netherlands and his fitness is in doubt right now.

Luis de la Fuente says he hopes he'll be fit for Sunday's second leg but has still called up Mario Gila in any case.

At the moment it seems Cubarsi should be fit for Thursday. But there's always the fear Spain will play him again and he aggravates the injury.

Available? Keep your fingers crossed.

Inigo Martinez

Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Inigo was recalled to the Spain squad for the first time in years for the Netherlands game and then withdrew with a knee injury.

That immediately drew some suspicion from some quarters which led to Spain stopper Unai Simon to speak out against the doubters and back the Barca star.

Initial reports have claimed Martinez will be out for 2-3 weeks, meaning he probably won’t be available to face Osasuna.

Available? Not looking good.

Ronald Araujo

Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Ronald Araujo is with the Uruguay squad for World Cup qualifiers against Argentina later today and then Bolivia on Tuesday.

All of which means he’s unlikely to be available next Thursday but there are a few rays of hope for Barcelona.

Firstly, Araujo is a yellow card away from a one-match ban. So, if he’s booked against Argentina he’ll be out of the Bolivia game and could come home early.

There’s also speculation Araujo could be rested against Bolivia as the game’s being played at altitude.

Available? Unlikely, but you never know!

Jules Kounde

Photo by Igor Kralj/Pixsell/MB Media/Getty Images

Jules Kounde has played at right-back all season but could be shifted into the middle of the defence if needed against Osasuna.

And that may well be the case on Thursday night. Kounde is currently with France and played all 90 minutes (of course) against Croatia on Thursday.

The Barcelona defender is likely to feature in the return on Sunday and will then head home.

Available? Yep (as long as he’s not late for the team meeting).

Eric Garcia

Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images

Eric Garcia may prove to be a really useful option in the coming months due to Barcelona’s defensive issues and with Marc Casadao also sidelined for a couple of months.

Hansi Flick seems to be a fan big and has been happy to play Eric both in central defence an in midfield this season.

Eric’s not been called up for Spain duty over the international break, meaning he’ll be fit and fresh for the clash with Osasuna.

Available? Raring to go.

Andreas Christensen

Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Andreas Christensen is enduring a miserable season due to injury and hasn’t played competitively for Barcelona since all the way back in August.

However, he is expected to return to training next week when Flick’s troops are back in action and could potentially be given the green light ahead of the game.

Christensen playing seems a long shot at the moment, but there’s a chance he could be ready to take up a spot on the bench.

Available? Possibly ready but definitely rusty.

How do you think Barcelona will line up defensively against Osasuna? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Source: barcablaugranes.com