FC Barcelona’s injury list continues to rise after they were given another setback on Wednesday.
Captain Sergi Roberto suffered a soleus muscle injury in his right leg during warm-ups yesterday, putting him out for nearly three weeks.
While Roberto has not been a regular for Barça this season, having someone like him to give cover in midfield and right-back gave Xavi choices.
But with Roberto now out on the sidelines, it further eats at the depth of the squad. With Jules Kounde already out, Barça now have just Joao Cancelo as an option at right-back.
At the same time, with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong dealing with fitness problems, Roberto’s injury leaves Barça thin in midfield as well.
As such, Xavi might look at the youth and reserve ranks to make up for Roberto’s absence and SPORT highlights three names who could fill in for the club captain.
Marc Casado
The 20-year-old Barça Atletic captain is a player that Xavi knows very well and trusts him, having had him in the first-team dynamics for some time now. Casado is a player who can slot in as a defensive midfielder or a right-back, making him an enticing option.
The La Masia graduate has been in and around the first-team setup, but is also crucial to Rafa Marquez’s Barça Atletic side, and pulling him away from the reserves if he might not play under Xavi is something that the Catalans wish to avoid.
Hector Fort
Another La Masia talent, Hector Fort has enjoyed regular game-time for Barça Atletic despite being just 17 years old. The teenage right-back has made a solid impression for the second team this season, with the club very happy with his progression.
Fort is a player who is comfortable drifting into midfield or going down the flank and can be a good backup in the right-back position even though he lacks exposure at the highest level.
Trilli
Signed during the summer from Deportivo La Coruna, Trilli joined the Barça Atletic setup but spent the first couple of months out injured, which paved the way for Hector Fort to play regularly.
As a result, Trilli has not played much this season and is yet to fully adapt to Barcelona’s ways and philosophy. But the 20-year-old is a skilled right-back and adds an element of physicality to the side as well, although Xavi might feel his call-up could be premature at this point.