Flick's academy solutions as Espart faces two-month absence

Xavi Espart sidelined for two months; Flick may turn to academy players including Alejandro Balde and Guillem Víctor to cover the absence.

Xavi Espart suffered an injury during the Clásico that will keep him out for approximately two months. The injury forced Barcelona manager Hansi Flick to bring Alejandro Balde into the match against Paris, despite the left-back having played only limited minutes before the Paris fixture.

With Espart unavailable and the returns of Koundé and Christensen still weeks away, Flick is exploring academy solutions. The manager currently has four senior defenders available: Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Joao Cancelo, and Balde. He has also indicated willingness to repurpose midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Rodri as centre-backs if needed, and is considering Brian Fariñas as an emergency right-back option.

Flick has already called up Àlex Campos from Barcelona Atlètic for the last two squads. Other academy prospects in contention include right-backs Guillem Víctor and Landry Farré, both captains of the B team. Víctor, brother of former Barcelona player Pau Víctor, has played every match this season and offers a profile similar to Espart. Additional options include centre-back Hafiz Gariba, who impressed in preseason before falling ill, and Juwensley Onstein, who is returning to training after a muscle injury.