Barcelona have little time to recover from their defeat against Real Madrid, with another important La Liga fixture approaching. However, manager Hansi Flick faces a major challenge ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Deportivo Alaves, as injuries continue to weaken his defensive options.
The match, part of the 11th round of the 2026/27 La Liga season, will take place at Spotify Camp Nou on November 1, 2026, at 03:00 WIB.
Three points are essential for Barcelona as they look to protect their position at the top of the table. Their advantage over second-placed Atletico Madrid has been reduced to just two points, making another setback potentially costly.
Unfortunately for Flick, preparing for Alaves has become more complicated because several defenders are unavailable, while others are dealing with fitness concerns.
The situation could force Barcelona to use an unusual defensive lineup, particularly at right-back and centre-back.
Right-Back Options Become Increasingly Limited
Barcelona’s defensive problems have become more serious following Xavi Espart’s injury during the defeat against Real Madrid.
The young defender is expected to spend an extended period on the sidelines, adding another name to Flick growing list of unavailable players.
Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia were already missing before Espart’s injury. Their absence has left Barcelona with fewer natural options at right-back ahead of the Alaves fixture.
Joao Cancelo could provide an immediate solution. The Portuguese defender is capable of playing on either side of the back line, giving Flick some flexibility when selecting his defensive formation.
One possible arrangement would see Cancelo operate at right-back, with Alejandro Balde starting on the opposite flank.
That combination could provide Barcelona with attacking width while maintaining experience in both full-back positions.
Brian Farinas is another alternative being considered. His availability gives Flick an additional option as he attempts to reorganise the defence with the players currently fit.
However, the manager must carefully consider the balance between defensive security and attacking contribution. Barcelona cannot afford to leave too much space for Alaves to exploit, particularly after their recent defensive difficulties.
Hansi Flick Considers Changes at Centre-Back
The situation is also uncertain in the centre of Barcelona’s defence.
Gerard Martin has experienced physical discomfort in recent matches, making his condition an important factor in Flick’s selection decisions.
Martin would normally be one of the most logical partners for Pau Cubarsi. However, starting him before he is fully fit could create further problems for Barcelona.
With several defenders already unavailable, the club cannot afford another injury in an area where options are becoming increasingly scarce.
Flick has therefore explored alternative combinations during training.
One possibility has involved Frenkie de Jong playing alongside Cubarsi in central defence. The experiment highlights the extent of Barcelona’s current defensive shortage.
De Jong is naturally a midfielder, but his technical ability and composure in possession could offer some advantages when building attacks from deep.
His passing quality could help Barcelona maintain control of the ball and move possession into midfield.
Nevertheless, playing as a centre-back would require a different understanding of defensive positioning, marking responsibilities and aerial challenges.
It remains to be seen whether Flick will consider the experiment suitable for a competitive match against Alaves.
Two Consecutive Defeats Increase the Pressure on Barcelona
Barcelona’s defensive crisis comes at a particularly difficult moment in their season.
Defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in consecutive matches have disrupted the team’s momentum after an encouraging start to the campaign.
The loss against Real Madrid was especially damaging because it ended Barcelona’s perfect record in La Liga this season.
Their lead at the top of the standings has now been reduced to just two points over Atletico Madrid.
With the title race becoming increasingly competitive, another poor result could allow their closest rivals to close the gap further.
The challenge for Flick is therefore not limited to finding the right defensive combination. He must also restore confidence throughout the team.
Barcelona’s midfield and attacking players will need to improve after failing to deliver their best performances against Real Madrid.
Better control in midfield could reduce the pressure on the defensive line, while greater efficiency in attack would help the team avoid leaving the outcome of matches uncertain.
Barcelona Must Find a Response Against Alaves
The upcoming match against Alaves represents an important opportunity for Barcelona to stop their disappointing run.
Playing at Spotify Camp Nou should give the Blaugrana an opportunity to respond in front of their supporters. However, the result will depend heavily on how effectively Flick manages his limited squad options.
Several areas will require particular attention:
- Defensive organisation: Barcelona must maintain their shape despite the absence of key defenders.
- Right-back selection: Cancelo, Balde and Farinas provide possible solutions, but Flick must choose the combination that offers the best balance.
- Centre-back partnership: Cubarsi needs a reliable partner, whether that is Martin or an alternative such as De Jong.
- Midfield control: Better protection from midfield could help reduce the defensive workload.
- Attacking efficiency: Barcelona must make their chances count to avoid another disappointing result.
The biggest concern is that Barcelona’s defensive problems could become more damaging if the team continues to struggle in other areas.
Flick needs a collective response rather than relying solely on individual defensive performances.
Hansi Flick Faces an Important Test
Barcelona remain in a strong position in the La Liga standings, but their recent results have exposed weaknesses that need immediate attention.
The injuries affecting the defensive line have made Flick’s job considerably harder, particularly with several established players unavailable and others not fully fit.
The Alaves match offers a chance to regain momentum and protect their advantage over Atletico Madrid.
For Flick, the priority is finding a defensive structure that can deliver stability without weakening Barcelona’s attacking identity.
The Blaugrana cannot afford another setback. With the title race tightening, their response at Spotify Camp Nou could be crucial to keeping their season on track.
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