Barcelona’s La Liga campaign got off to a rocky beginning as they faltered against Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez and saw both Xavi Hernandez and Raphinha receiving red cards.

Adding to their woes, Ronald Araujo has sustained an injury setback and is expected to be absent for the upcoming match against Cadiz at the Montjuic Stadium.

As Barcelona grapples with the absence of key players, especially in defense, they are confronted with a defensive predicament.

Kounde expected to play right-back

As reported by SPORT, Kounde is the likely candidate to step in for Araujo in the right-back position, although Sergi Roberto is also being contemplated as an alternative.

During the previous season, Kounde spent a significant portion of time as a right-back, although it’s a position he’s not particularly fond of playing in. After an experimenting with different roles, Xavi acknowledged Kounde’s preference to revert to his natural position as a centre-back. In the preseason and the opening match against Getafe, Araujo was utilized on the right flank temporarily while the club aimed to address their financial situation and secure a right-back in the transfer market.

Despite ongoing negotiations for players like Joao Cancelo and Ivan Fresneda, the most feasible option appears to be deploying Kounde in the wide position. This also opens the door for Eric Garcia, who is expected to take a central role, forming a partnership with Andreas Christensen. Following a decrease in his playing time, the Spanish defender is eager to prove his worth and catch Xavi’s attention.

Moreover, the team is hopeful to finalize the registration process for Marcos Alonso before the Cadiz match. If the paperwork is completed in time, Alonso could also be considered by the Barcelona manager.

With Araujo’s absence and Inigo Martinez’s ongoing recovery, Xavi faces the challenge of making critical decisions in the defensive lineup.