BARCELONA have just 14 senior players available for their crunch clash against Napoli – with boss Quique Setien forced to call on the youth squad.
The Spanish giants have already missed out on the LaLiga title to Real Madrid this month.
Barcelona have two suspensions for the second leg with Napoli, including VidalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Barcelona have just 14 players fit to take on Napoli in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But now they risk crashing out of the Champions League amidst a horror injury crisis.
Napoli travel to the Nou Camp on August 8 for the second-leg of their last-16 clash.
Barcelona drew the first-leg 1-1 in Naples, but will be forced play the second game without Arturo Vidal, who was sent off in Italy.
Sergio Busquets will also miss the tie through suspension.
Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Araujo are both injured, with Ousmane Dembele’s fitness also a concern.
INJURY CRISIS
That leaves just 14 senior, first-team players available, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Neto the goalkeepers.
Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Junior Firpo and Nelson Semedo are the only available defenders.
In midfield, Setien is limited to Frenkie de Jong, Sergi Roberto and Ivan Rakitic.
Fortunately for Barcelona they do have a full-strength attack to call on with Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi all fit.
However, the 14 available players could arguably be reduced to 13, with Arthur seemingly refusing to play having already agreed to join Juventus.
Arturo Vidal was sent off in the first leg in ItalyCredit: EPA
Ansu Fati and Rique Puig are two youth stars who have established themselves in the first-team squad this season, bringing the available tally to 15.
The final spots in the matchday squad will be taken up by youth team players.
Academy stars Inaki Pena, Arnau Tenas, Dani Morer, Jorge Cuenca, Oscar Mingueza, Monchu, Jandro Orellana, Ludovit Reis and Konrad de la Fuente are reported to be set to train alongside the senior squad in a bid to book their spot on the bench.
Barcelona’s Luis Suarez shows he has all the right moves as he returns to training after injury
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
