According to a report by GOAL on Sunday, October 18, 2026, Barcelona are facing fresh defensive difficulties ahead of their important fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, following injuries sustained by Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde during a crucial stage of the season.

The Catalan giants have received disappointing news concerning Garcia, who is expected to remain unavailable for approximately three to four weeks after picking up a thigh injury during their convincing 5-2 victory over Real Betis in La Liga.

Although the Spanish defender managed to score during the encounter, his involvement ended prematurely after he experienced physical discomfort towards the final stages of the match. Further medical assessments revealed damage to the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh, forcing him into a period of recovery.

As a result, Garcia will be unable to participate in Barcelona's upcoming UEFA Champions League encounter against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. He has also been ruled out of the much-anticipated El Clasico against Real Madrid, scheduled for next Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

His injury could also prevent him from featuring in subsequent matches against Alaves, Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid. This development represents a significant concern for manager Hansi Flick, who must now consider alternative defensive arrangements to maintain his team's impressive performances.

Barcelona's situation has become more complicated following another injury involving Kounde. The French defender is currently recovering from a sprained left ankle, making him unavailable for the European showdown with PSG.

Although his participation against Real Madrid has not been completely ruled out, there are growing concerns about whether he will regain full fitness before the encounter. Barcelona's medical team will continue evaluating his recovery, with a final decision expected closer to the match.

Meanwhile, Gerard Martin could provide some relief for the coaching staff after initial examinations suggested that his foot problem might not be as serious as initially feared.

Martin was substituted during the interval of Barcelona's victory over Real Betis after complaining of discomfort. However, early indications suggest that inflammation may be responsible for the problem, meaning he could recover quickly enough to feature against Paris Saint-Germain.

These developments have emerged despite Barcelona's outstanding performances since the beginning of the campaign. Flick's side have maintained a perfect record in their opening nine La Liga fixtures, demonstrating consistency in their pursuit of domestic success.

Their impressive form has also extended to European competition, where victories over Feyenoord and Galatasaray have strengthened their Champions League campaign.

However, the growing injury concerns could test Barcelona's squad depth as they prepare to face stronger opposition in the coming days.

With Garcia definitely unavailable and Kounde's participation in El Clasico still uncertain, Flick faces an important challenge in selecting a reliable defensive combination.

Barcelona will be determined to preserve their winning momentum against PSG and Real Madrid, but the fitness of their defenders could play a major role in determining how successfully they navigate these demanding encounters.