As Barcelona put together to tackle UD Las Palmas later this weekend, they’re sweating over the health of key defender Inigo Martinez.
The veteran Spaniard has been among the best gamers for Barça this season, forming a superb pairing on the coronary heart of the defence alongside Pau Cubarsi.
Inigo Martinez a doubt vs Las Palmas
Nevertheless, now, in keeping with SPORT, Martinez’s availability for Barcelona’s La Liga conflict in opposition to Las Palmas on Saturday is a serious doubt on account of muscular discomfort.
Martinez is known to have been feeling muscle ache in his leg and though he has not suffered any main setbacks, it appears unlikely that he can be 100% match for the match this Saturday in opposition to Las Palmas.
It ought to be remembered that there’s now a stretch of the calendar with midweek matches, and thus Barcelona supervisor Hansi Flick doesn’t wish to take any dangers with any of his gamers’ health.
Martinez may miss Saturday’s recreation vs Las Palmas. (Picture by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Photographs)
As such, every little thing signifies that the German tactician won’t drive the previous Athletic Membership defender to characteristic in opposition to Las Palmas.
The 33-year-old veteran has featured in 18 of Barça’s 19 aggressive matches this season in all competitions, racking up 1,596 minutes, by which he has two objectives and assists every.
The Blaugrana have tough fixtures arising subsequent week in opposition to RCD Mallorca and Actual Betis and Flick may decide to present Martinez a breather this weekend with an eye fixed on these matches.
Who may substitute Martinez?
If Martinez certainly doesn’t characteristic, Eric Garcia could be an possibility to interchange him and companion Pau Cubarsi on the coronary heart of the Barcelona defence.
Nevertheless, the previous Manchester Metropolis ace is in competition to start out in midfield as effectively with Marc Casado suspended for Saturday’s conflict.
Another choice for Flick could be to rely on younger defender Sergi Dominguez, contemplating that Ronald Araujo remains to be not able to return and Andreas Christensen is out as effectively.
Jules Kounde is also an possibility, with Hector Fort filling in at right-back in that situation.