Bad news for Barcelona: Continued defensive absentees and return timeline

Hansi Flick, the manager of FC Barcelona, is facing serious difficulties and a genuine crisis on the defensive end ahead of the team’s anticipated clash against Aston Villa.

All indications suggest that the coaching staff will not be able to recover any of the injured defenders before the upcoming match. French star Jules Kounde continues to train individually away from the group sessions, while Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen may return, at best, for the upcoming match against Atletico Madrid.

In light of these complex circumstances, Hansi Flick is leaning once again towards recycling his options and repeating the unconventional lineup he previously relied on against Alaves. The German coach is expected to deploy youngster Farinas at right-back, while utilizing Dutchman Frenkie de Jong in central defense alongside rising star Pau Cubarsi and Joao Cancelo to secure the Catalan team’s backline against the opponent’s attack.