La Masia has the replacement for Araujo and Cubarsí: the surprise in Flick's plans

FC Barcelona continued their preparation for the match against Osasuna on Thursday, March 27. A match that the culés will approach with a weakened defense due to injuries to Andreas Christensen and Pau Cubarsí and the absence of Ronald Araujo, who will join the squad late due to the international commitment between Uruguay and Bolivia this Tuesday.

For this reason, Hansi Flick has called up the 19-year-old youth player Alexis Olmedo for the second consecutive day to participate in the first team's training. The defender had been a key player for Barça Atlètic at the beginning of the season, but a stress fracture in his right femur prevented him from playing for the first two and a half months of 2025. However, the player returned against Bilbao Athletic last Saturday and is set to be crucial for Sergi Milà's team for the remainder of the season.

Olmedo already knows what it is like to be part of the first team, as he was part of the azulgrana expedition during the pre-season tour in the United States. Although he did not see minutes in any of the friendlies on American soil, he could have his chance to debut in the match against the rojillos, as he is expected to be called up by the German coach to cover for the absences of the Catalan and the Uruguayan.

Uncertainty surrounding Cubarsí's physical condition

And despite the fact that Barça hoped to have Cubarsí available for Thursday's match, uncertainty still surrounds the player and his physical condition. In Tuesday's session, the '2' participated on the sidelines of the group, so his participation in the match against Vicente Moreno's team seems unlikely due to the limited time available and the necessary caution for his recovery.

Flick is very clear that, although he must solve the 'puzzle' he has in the center of defense, he will not take any risks with Pau if there is a possibility of worsening the injury, as the defender is a key piece in his team and he cannot afford to lose him for the long term as they enter the decisive stretch of the season.

The good news for the club is that Iñigo Martínez, who rejoined the azulgrana discipline in training last Monday, is fit to play and is likely to form a central duo with Eric García in the match that will take place in Montjuïc, awaiting a Ronald Araujo who will join the group on Wednesday and could be a solution for the team from the bench.