Barcelona may have won on Saturday in Leganes, but it was far from a perfect evening for the La Liga leaders, who are now seven points that Real Madrid are free at the top of the classification prior to the Los Blancos game against Alaves on Sunday afternoon.
The great care of Barcelona is at Alejandro Balde, who was forced in the first half in Butarque after an injury. Although it still has to be determined the severity of the problem, it is almost certain that he will not be available for the quarter -final second stage against Borussia Dortmund.
And according to sport there are also fear that he could be out for at least three weeks, which would come to him from playing in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid.
If this is the case, Gerard Martin will be given the task of replacing Balde for two massively important competitions. The 23-year-old, who has now made 31 performances in all matches since he was promoted to the first team last summer, has made an effort this season to perform at a high level, but he will now have the challenge of playing against Dortmund, and possibly Real Madrid as the injury to Bald is the first fear.
Flick is a big one from Martin, who signed a new contract in January, and he is confident that he can replace Balde in the coming weeks. In addition to the matches against Dortmund and Real Madrid, the defender will probably also be called from the start when Barcelona takes on Celta Vigo and Mallorca in important La Liga luminaires.
Barcelona will be desperate that Balde is fit to cope with Real Madrid, but even if that were the case, Flick could choose not to risk any further injury for the 21-year-old, he can choose Martin on merit.
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