MX23RW : Wednesday, October 2 12:50:25| >> :120:4682:4682:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
Champions League | League Stage
Oct 1, 2024 at 8pm UK
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
Young Boys

Barcelona
5 - 0
Young Boys

Lewandowski (8', 51'), Raphinha (34'), Martinez (37'), Camara (81' og.)
FT(HT: 3-0)

Colley (36'), Ugrinic (40')

Barcelona given major fitness boost after injury scare vs. Young Boys

Key Barcelona man plays down injury concerns after fitness scare vs. Young Boys
© Imago
Barcelona centre-back Inigo Martinez insists that he is "fine" after a fitness scare against Young Boys in the Champions League.

Barcelona centre-back Inigo Martinez has insisted that he is "fine" and will be available for his side's next match despite being substituted with an apparent injury against Young Boys.

Martinez was on the scoresheet in Barcelona's 5-0 win over Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but he had to be replaced in the 84th minute of the contest with a fitness issue.

There had been concerns that the centre-back was facing a period on the sidelines with a possible muscular problem, but the Spaniard insisted after the fixture that his substitution was a precaution.

"I'm fine. I'll be available for the next match with no problems," Martinez told reporters. "I could have continued, but I had been dealing with this overload for some time and we decided to make the change.

"I hadn't been able to score for a while and I had even forgotten how to celebrate. I'm happy with the goal, but above all for the three points, because we had to win no matter what after the defeat against Monaco."

Barcelona's Inigo Martinez celebrates scoring against Young Boys on October 1, 2024© Imago

Martinez will be fit for Sunday's clash with Alaves

Robert Lewandowski netted twice, while Raphinha was also on the scoresheet against Young Boys, as Barcelona bounced back from their 4-2 loss to Osasuna in Spain's top flight.

"Nobody knows how this Champions League will work, but it is always good to have a good goal difference and we were able to win by a wide margin after the defeat in the first round," Barcelona boss Hansi Flick told reporters.

"We started well, but not as well as I would like. We have to start stronger, be better with our passes and improve the dynamic by playing as a team. But it was important to get the three points and we are satisfied. United like this, we can do great things."

There was also a return to the team for Frenkie de Jong, with the Netherlands international playing the final 15 minutes of the contest, replacing Lamine Yamal in the European clash.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong on October 1, 2024© Imago

De Jong made timely return for Barcelona against Young Boys

"He put on the shirt on the field again and felt good and played again. He has done a lot and has run well, he has shown good feelings in his return," said Flick when asked about De Jong, who has been on the sidelines with a long-term ankle issue.

The midfielder will now be targeting another appearance against Alaves in La Liga this weekend in what will be the team's final match ahead of the October international break.

Despite the positive news surrounding Martinez and De Jong, Barcelona still have a number of injury issues, with Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal on the sidelines.

Barcelona are top of the La Liga table, boasting 21 points from their opening eight matches of the campaign, and they are three points ahead of the reigning champions Real Madrid.

ID:554451:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5679:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Inigo Martinez

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Game History

How you voted: Barcelona vs Young Boys

Barcelona
90.9%
Draw
4.7%
Young Boys
4.3%
232
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Nottingham Forest's Murillo on August 28, 2024
Read Next:
Clasico battle? Real Madrid, Barcelona 'learn club's stance on centre-back'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Dortmund22006
2B. Leverkusen22006
3Brest22006
4Inter Milan21104
5Man City21104
6Sparta Prague21104
7Arsenal21104
8Sporting Lisbon21104
9Monaco11003
10Bayern11003
11Barcelona21013
12Aston Villa11003
13Juventus11003
14Liverpool11003
15Real Madrid11003
16Atletico11003
17Benfica11003
18PSG21013
19Celtic21013
20Bologna10101
21Shakhtar10101
22Atalanta10101
23PSV20111
24Stuttgart20111
25Girona10010
26RB Leipzig10010
27Sturm Graz10010
28Lille10010
29AC Milan20020
30Brugge10010
31Feyenoord10010
32Red Star20020
33Dinamo Zagreb10010
34Salzburg20020
35Slovan Bratislava20020
36Young Boys20020


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!