Injury Woes and Controversy Shake Barcelona Ahead of Girona Match

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is preparing for Sunday’s match against Girona amidst distractions caused by an injury to Dani Olmo and a controversy over a potentially ineligible player. Olmo suffered a myofascial injury to the adductor of his right leg during training on Friday, sidelining him for approximately three weeks.

Flick’s squad has been in great form, with Ferran Torres showcasing his prowess in front of goal. His recent strike contributed to a convincing 3-0 win against Osasuna, marking Torres’s 14th goal of the season, making this his best campaign to date.

However, the excitement around the team is tempered by an appeal filed by Osasuna regarding the status of defender Iñigo Martínez. The club is contesting the legality of his participation in the match after he had withdrawn from the national team due to injury. The Spanish Football Federation confirmed Martínez’s release, but Osasuna argues he could not play in accordance with FIFA regulations concerning player eligibility.

Flick addressed the situation at a press conference on Saturday, stating, “We won three points and this is my focus, so I’m concentrating on the next match against Girona.” He emphasized that the potential consequences of the appeal are out of his control.

Under FIFA rules, players cannot participate for their clubs within five days of the last national team match if they did not report to the national team without permission. Martínez played a full 90 minutes against Osasuna, despite his earlier withdrawal, further complicating the eligibility debate.

The match against Osasuna was initially scheduled for March 8 but had been postponed following the death of a club doctor. Both teams had rejected the option to play this past week, leading to appeals that were ultimately denied.

Adding to the team’s complications, they will miss several players due to injury, including Olmo, Marc Casado, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Marc-André ter Stegen. Pau Cubarsi’s status remains uncertain due to an ankle issue. Additionally, midfielder Donny van de Beek is suspended.

Barcelona currently leads La Liga by three points, holding an 18-goal advantage over Real Madrid on goal difference. Star striker Robert Lewandowski, who has 23 goals in La Liga, is focused on collective success rather than individual accolades. Flick praised Lewandowski’s team-oriented mindset: “This makes me really proud about his behavior.”

As the team gears up for a hectic schedule with six matches across La Liga, the Champions League, and Copa del Rey in the next 17 days, Flick expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to handle the challenges ahead, stating, “We want to fight until the end of the season.”