Injuries at Barça: Iñigo Martínez and his possible return against Osasuna

FC Barcelona will arrive very pressured to the postponed match of matchday 27 of LaLiga against Osasuna. The international break and the injuries of Marc Casadó and Iñigo Martínez leave the Blaugrana defense in a difficult position, which will feel the lack of rest in the rescheduled match in Montjuïc. In this sense, Iñigo would be willing to anticipate his return, after the meniscus injury in his right knee he suffered on Sunday against Atlético de Madrid.

Barça will have a very tight schedule after the break, with up to 6 matches in just 13 days. The culés will host Girona on Sunday the 30th, with less than 72 hours of rest before the match against the 'rojillo' team. Three days later, it’s back to the Metropolitano for the Copa match against Atlético. On Saturday the 5th, they will host Betis in La Liga, while on Wednesday the 9th will be the first quarter-final clash against Borussia Dortmund, also in Montjuïc. 

Iñigo, in principle, must rest for at least two weeks

The expected recovery time for the Ondarroa player was initially 2 to 3 weeks, a period that would coincide with the return of the 'semis' of the Copa del Rey against Atlético de Madrid (Wednesday, April 2). The Blaugrana team must win at the Metropolitano to advance to the final, after the draw in the first leg in Montjuïc (4-4). However, Iñigo is confident in shortening his recovery time, especially if the team needs him.

With Pau Cubarsí injured (he suffered a blow to his right ankle on Thursday in Rotterdam) and Ronald Araujo without rest after the double World Cup qualifying round with Uruguay, Eric García would be the only defender fit to play on Thursday against Osasuna. Flick might consider Sergi Domínguez to accompany '24', as long as the other three center-backs are not in good physical condition for the match.

In any case, the coaching staff will not take risks, as Barça must face the final stretch of the season with a short squad that cannot afford to suffer more long-term injuries. The visit to Atlético on Sunday left Marc Casadó out until at least mid-May. In defense, the team has already had to deal with the absences of Araujo and Andreas Christensen in the first half of the season, where Frenkie de Jong and Gavi were also out for the first two months.