Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez called on Saturday to postpone his team’s match against Real Mallorca, scheduled for Sunday, in the nineteenth round of the Spanish Football League, due to the “severe shortage of players” in the squad.
At least 17 players will be absent from the Catalan club in its match against Mallorca, while Frenchman Samuel Umtiti is awaiting the decision of the Spanish authorities to allow him to participate.
And the Brazilians Dani Alves, Felipe Coutinho and Jordi Alba have previously tested positive for Covid-19 in recent days.
“If it wasn’t postponed, it would be ridiculous,” Xavi told reporters on the eve of the match.
“The match will be without flavor and without any presentation to the fans,” he added.
Xavi indicated that his team is in a limited situation due to the presence of 17 absences, between 17 and 18 players, because Samuel Umiti recovered today, but he is one of the eleven cases that we have faced.
“We also have two suspended players and six injured,” he added.
Barcelona needs every point in the remainder of its campaign this season, as it occupies seventh place with 28 points.