Barcelona‘s manager, Xavi Hernandez, on Saturday urged a postponement of their upcoming match against Real Mallorca, slated for Sunday, citing a significant player shortage within the squad.
A minimum of seventeen players are expected to be unavailable for the Catalan giants’ encounter with Mallorca. The participation of Frenchman Samuel Umtiti remains contingent upon Spanish authorities’ approval.
Furthermore, Brazilians Dani Alves, Felipe Coutinho, and Jordi Alba recently tested positive for Covid-19.
“Postponement is essential; otherwise, it would be absurd,” Xavi declared to the press ahead of the contest.
The match, he continued, would lack excitement and fail to deliver a compelling spectacle for supporters.
Xavi highlighted the team’s precarious position, with a total of seventeen to eighteen players sidelined. While Samuel Umtiti’s recovery is a positive development, he represents one of eleven players facing various issues.
“We also have two players serving suspensions and six injured players,” he elaborated.
Every point is crucial for Barcelona’s remaining fixtures this season, as they currently hold seventh place with 28 points in the standings.
