Hansi Flick ‘to call up’ winter signing amid defensive injuries | OneFootball

Barcelona face a defensive reshuffle after Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde sustained hamstring injuries during Tuesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg win over Atletico Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou. Both are likely to be out for at least a month.

Hansi Flick must now cover the loss of his first-choice full-backs. According to MD, left-back Patricio Pacifico trained on Wednesday and could be called into the squad for Saturday’s trip to Athletic Club.

Pacifico arrived in the winter window from Defensor Sporting. The 19-year-old has been with Barca Atletic since moving from Uruguay, and this period offers a chance to impress Flick, with Jofre Torrents sidelined for the season by an ankle injury.

Flick can also turn to Joao Cancelo on either flank, while there is a likelihood that Eric Garcia at right-back and Gerard Martin at left-back will be used despite featuring mainly in central roles this season.

Barcelona visit San Mames on Saturday, then face Newcastle United in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie three days later. Options in defence are thin, so rotation appears limited.

Pacifico is likely to be among the substitutes, and any minutes for the teenager would seem a risk unless circumstances demand it.

Source: Football Espana