Champions League: Barcelona call up youngsters for PSG clash
Alex Campos sourced from the official Instagram handle of the footballer. Madrid: FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has included 18-year-old Barca Atletic defender Alex Campos and Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim in his squad for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League clash away to reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Flick faces a defensive shortage, with Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde unavailable. Garcia and Kounde sustained injuries during Barcelona's 5-2 away victory over Real Betis on Saturday.
Campos has been a regular starter for Barca Atletic this season. The young defender is known for his reliability at the back, aerial strength and ability to play the ball out from defence, reports Xinhua.
Meanwhile, Abdelkarim has featured for both the senior team and the reserves this season after making his move from Al Ahly permanent. He turned out for Barca Atletic in the RFEF Second Federation, the fourth tier of Spanish football, last weekend and scored in a 2-1 victory over Utebo.
Barcelona confirmed on Sunday that Garcia and Kounde would miss Tuesday's European fixture against PSG. Garcia is also set to miss next weekend's El Clasico against Real Madrid.
Garcia faces three to four weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a thigh injury. Kounde, meanwhile, remains doubtful for Sunday's meeting with Real Madrid due to an ankle sprain.
"Eric Garcia has sustained a muscle injury to the rectus femoris in his right thigh. The recovery period is expected to be between three and four weeks," Barcelona said on its official website.
Garcia is also expected to miss the upcoming matches against Alaves and Aston Villa. Kounde's injury is considered less serious, but the French defender will be unavailable for the Champions League encounter with PSG.
The club confirmed that Kounde "has sustained a sprain to his left ankle and will be unavailable for the match against PSG." Barcelona added that his availability for the Clasico would depend on his recovery.