The Spanish central defender played only ten minutes in the victory of the Catalan giant against Barbastro in the King's Cup.
Inigo Martínez's muscle injury, confirmed by Barcelona on Monday, has put the team in a challenging position ahead of their crucial Super Cup semi-final match against Osasuna.
The injury occurred during Barcelona's King's Cup victory over Barbastro, a fourth-division team, where Martínez, a key player in the defense, had to leave the field early due to physical complaints.
Martínez, 32, a central defender who joined Barcelona from Athletic Bilbao last summer without a transfer fee, has been battling with physical issues throughout the season. These problems have limited his appearances to just 11 matches, a significant reduction for a player of his caliber. His injury adds to the concerns for Barcelona's coach Xavi, who relies on Martínez's experience and skills in the team's defense.
Barcelona's medical team has confirmed that Martínez has a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of his left thigh. The club has stated that his recovery progress will dictate when he can return to play, leaving his participation in upcoming matches uncertain.
As Barcelona prepares to face Osasuna in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup, they do so without one of their key defenders. The semi-final, scheduled for Thursday at 19:00, will be a critical test for Barcelona as they aim to secure a place in the final. The Super Cup, held in Saudi Arabia this year, will also feature a highly anticipated derby between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid on Wednesday at 19:00.
Martínez's absence is a setback for Barcelona, who will need to adapt their defensive strategy to compensate for his loss. The team's depth and tactical flexibility will be tested as they navigate this important stage of the competition without one of their primary defensive anchors.
