Official: Key Barcelona defender ruled out of Real Betis clash with muscular injury | OneFootball

FC Barcelona return to La Liga action again as they take on Real Betis this time around. With the battle for the top spot being extremely close, not even a single slip-up can be acceptable. However, Betis is a dangerous side to play against and Barcelona will need to be fully prepared.

Ideally, that would mean that the Catalan giants would field their strongest possible eleven. Unfortunately, even players have limits and it would make sense for Hansi Flick to rest those players that are perhaps feeling the most fatigued ahead of a massive UEFA Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund.

For this game, however, Flick will need to find the perfect balance in which he can rest some players while also fielding a capable starting eleven. Unfortunately for him, however, he will have to do so without the services of a key player in his defense.

According to the latest official statement from the club, 33-year-old Spanish defender Inigo Martinez is now set to miss this fixture due to a minor muscular injury in his left leg:

“The first team player I.Martinez has a minor gluteal injury in his left leg and is not available for this fixture.”

While this is bad news, hopefully it is nothing serious and the Spanish defender can return as soon as possible. Fortunately, Barcelona do have other defenders available and some reliable options are still there for Hansi Flick to rely upon.

Moreover, as confirmed by the club’s official squad list for this game, Danish defender Andreas Christensen has also returned after receiving the medical green light. Yet, with Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo available, perhaps the Dane may not need to be called into action just yet.

The goal will be to get three points, and that remains the objective even without Inigo Martinez. So far this season, it has been clear to see that the Catalan giants possess the skill and quality to take on any opponent, and this will be another big test for them.

However, with Dani Olmo also out injured, Barça cannot afford to lose any more players. The club will be hoping to have most of their first team regulars available consistently in this final stretch of the season, and untimely injuries is something that they will desperately want to avoid.