Barça short of defenders: Flick weighs De Jong at centre-back

📰 With four defenders out, Hansi Flick is weighing a midfielder-at-the-back plan for Saturday's game against Alavés. 📌 Key points 🚑 Koundé, Espart, Eric García and Christensen are all out. 🔄 Flick is considering Fariñas at right-back and De Jong at centre-back. 🧒 Guillem Víctor, 19, and Álex Campos, 18, trained with the squad. 🛡️ Only Martín, Cubarsí, Cancelo and Balde are fit defenders. 🏟️ Barça host Alavés at Camp Nou on 31 October. 📝 What happened 🚧 According to beIN Sports, Flick said on Friday that Koundé, Espart, Eric García and Christensen are injured, leaving Barcelona four short in defence. The fit defenders are Martín, Cubarsí, Cancelo and Balde. 🔧 Flick is considering moving midfielders Brian Fariñas to right-back and Frenkie de Jong to centre-back. He added that Balde needs more confidence to play at his best. 🧒 LiveScore, relaying Goal, reports that 19-year-old right-back Guillem Víctor and 18-year-old centre-back Álex Campos trained and could make the squad. Campos has already been in matchday squads against PSG and Real Madrid. Raphinha felt pain after colliding with Fermín López in training, but gave a thumbs-up and trained at full intensity. ⚖️ Flick called the two defeats reversible and said he remains convinced by his playing idea. 📊 By the numbers • Defenders out: 4 • Fit defenders: 4 (Martín, Cubarsí, Cancelo, Balde) • Youngsters in contention: 2 (aged 19 and 18) • Recent results: lost 4-2 to PSG, 2-1 to Real Madrid 🔭 Why it matters The back-line pairing against Alavés could shape Barcelona's season. De Jong at centre-back would also change the midfield. The match had not finished when this was written.