Barcelona secured a hard-fought draw against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Tuesday night. While the result felt sweet given Newcastle’s dominant performance, coach Hansi Flick was left to assess new fitness concerns following the demanding encounter.
The physical toll on the Blaugrana was evident in the second half, with several players experiencing hamstring issues during stoppages. Midfielder Marc Bernal was forced off in the 75th minute due to discomfort in his legs, and Ronald Araujo faced a similar situation just ten minutes later. Adding to these concerns, Eric Garcia did not feature in the starting lineup due to muscle discomfort reported before the match.
Eric Garcia to Undergo Medical Tests in Barcelona
Garcia’s condition is the most pressing concern for Flick. The versatile defender has been his most frequently used player this season, and Flick confirmed he had planned to start him against Newcastle. Reports from Sport indicate that Garcia will undergo tests in Barcelona today to rule out any serious injury. The initial assessment suggests it’s likely a minor issue, implying Garcia may not face a significant spell on the sidelines. His availability for the return leg or the upcoming match against Sevilla this weekend remains unclear, but there’s a possibility he could be on the bench on Sunday, with a view to starting next week.
Bernal and Araujo’s Substitutions Attributed to Cramps
There’s more positive news regarding Marc Bernal and Ronald Araujo. Catalan media outlets explain that both players were withdrawn from the match due to cramps rather than actual injuries. In theory, both should be available to face Sevilla, provided they receive the necessary rest and recovery. Bernal himself confirmed post-match that he was not injured, stating it was “all good, just cramps.”
These incidents underscored Barcelona’s ongoing struggles with squad depth, highlighted by the debut of 18-year-old Xavi Espart under challenging circumstances. The club is already dealing with a substantial injury list, which includes key players such as Gavi, Andreas Christensen, Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde, and Jules Kounde.
