Barcelona versatile defender a doubt to face Real Madrid in El Clasico – report

Following their resounding 4-1 triumph over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League last night, FC Barcelona turn their focus towards the biggest fixture of the La Liga calendar as they face Real Madrid on Saturday.

In what will be the season’s first El Clasico, Barcelona go in as favourites thanks to their rampant form under new manager Hansi Flick as well as the fact that their squad has been bolstered by the return of key players over the past week.

However, heading into Saturday’s clash against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, question marks linger over the availability of one player.

Eric Garcia still a doubt

Indeed, according to Mundo Deportivo, versatile Barcelona defender Eric Garcia remains a doubt to feature against Real Madrid on Saturday.

The Barça players trained today at the Ciutat Esportiva, just 12 hours after their sweet triumph over Bayern Munich, but Garcia was once again not involved.

The Spanish international had to withdraw from the team ahead of the game against Sevilla last week due to discomfort in the right adductor he felt during the warm-up before kickoff.

Eric, who has done the job as a defensive midfielder or at centre-back for Flick this season, missed out against the Bundesliga giants last night as well.

And while he is not entirely ruled out of the weekend’s El Clasico, his involvement at this point remains unclear and in doubt.

Barcelona are already without Ronald Araujo, Ferran Torres, Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the trip to the Spanish capital. Whether Garcia returns in time for the game remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid also have their fair share of injury-related absences for the game as both Rodrygo Goes and Thibaut Courtois were ruled out of the contest this week. Dani Carvajal and David Alaba are also out as well.