Barcelona down to just four defenders as Flick eyes winter market

Four. That's the number keeping Barcelona on edge: just four available defenders for the upcoming match. Cancelo, Balde, Cubarsí and Gerard Martin are the only fit options in the back line that Hansi Flick has to work with, and the German coach is no longer hiding it: the club is looking at the winter market to try to reinforce that part of the pitch.

He said it plainly at a press conference: "If we can do something, maybe we'll do it." It's not the first time he's brought it up. In fact, he admitted this is a discussion that goes back a while: "I said it during the summer window, we're always talking about what's best for the team, how we can improve it. It's something we're working on. We'll see." According to Flick, the analysis isn't something he does alone: he's working through it with Deco, Bojan and his coaching staff, waiting for the transfer window to open in the coming weeks.

The urgency has names attached, or rather, it's a growing injury list. In the treatment room are Koundé (ruled out for the match against Alavés), Christensen, Èric Garcia and Xavi Espart, the latter the most recent to go down. Flick didn't hide how tough the situation is: "We don't have Jules, Xavi Espart, Dani Olmo, Eric, Christensen... a lot of defenders. It's not easy, we have to find solutions." And still, with a depleted squad, he was clear about the immediate priority: "The most important thing is to get the three points."

Fariñas, the card from La Masia

While a reinforcement from outside may or may not arrive, Flick already has an ace up his sleeve at home: Brian Fariñas. The academy midfielder has been training with the first team since the start of the season, and the coach sees him as a candidate to be converted into a right back. "He can be an option at fullback, he's very smart, he's been training with us since the start of the season and he's doing a fantastic job. The time has come for him to get the playing time he deserves," the coach said, hinting that the youngster could see minutes soon.

Flick's pride in Lamine, and a nod to Cubarsí

The conversation also touched on the moment Lamine Yamal is having, after picking up the Kopa Trophy for the best young player on Monday, even though the Ballon d'Or went to Kane, something Flick accepted graciously: "he deserved it too," he said of the English forward. What pleased Flick most, though, was Lamine's gesture toward his defensive teammate: "What Lamine said about Cubarsí was fantastic, I told him and the team that. Cubarsí had an incredible season and an excellent World Cup, he deserved it."

I'm very proud of Lamine, he reacted really well and he's very locked in at training. That's how champions respond. His mentality is very good for the teamHansi Flick

The coach closed the book on the Ballon d'Or with a certain relief, glad that all the hype around the award "has already passed" and that the focus is back on the pitch, right where Barcelona needs it most these days with their defense stretched thin.