Barcelona’s defensive options stretched before Alaves as Raphinha resumes training

Barcelona will be without Jules Kounde for Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Deportivo Alaves after the France defender missed the club’s final training session and was ruled out of the match.

The Catalan side completed their preparations on Friday at the Joan Gamper Sports City, ahead of the 11th round fixture on 31 October 2026.

Kounde was one of the notable absentees from the session, having been unable to train with the first-team group at any point during the week. He will therefore not be ready in time to face Alaves.

His absence adds to Barcelona’s defensive problems, with Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen and Xavi Espart also unavailable because of injury. Dani Olmo and Rony Bardghji complete the list of players missing from the squad.

With several defenders sidelined, manager Hansi Flick again called on players from Barcelona’s reserve structure during Friday’s training session.

Right-back Guille Victor, 19, and right-sided centre-back Alex Campos, 18, joined the first-team workout and appear to have a chance of being included in the squad for the game. Campos has previously been named in Barcelona’s matchday groups for the fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

The session was conducted at a high tempo, with the players working intensely as they attempt to return to winning ways and retain top spot in La Liga.

Sixteen-year-old midfielder Ebrima Tunkara also continued to train with the senior squad. He can operate either as an interior midfielder or in the playmaker role.

Goalkeeper Max Bonfeil, who plays for the youth team, was involved as well. He worked alongside Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny and Dominik Livakovic.

The opening part of the session featured a series of short-sided games, which gradually increased in intensity. Media representatives were then required to leave the training ground after the 15-minute period open to journalists had ended.

There was a brief concern during one challenge when Raphinha felt pain after an accidental collision with Fermin Lopez. Lopez immediately apologised to the Brazil international.

Raphinha appeared to reassure those around him by raising his thumb after a few moments of uncertainty, before returning to the session and continuing to train at full intensity.

Flick must now find a solution to Barcelona’s defensive shortage as the club cope with a series of injuries before the visit of Deportivo Alaves.