La Liga Opener Uncertain for Barcelona’s New Player

Barcelona’s journey to defend their La Liga title kicks off in just over a week, with a challenging away match against Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

One notable concern ahead of the opener is their summer signing, Inigo Martinez. Although Barcelona acquired him as a free agent from Athletic Club last month, the veteran defender is yet to join full group training. He is still recovering from a fascia injury sustained during his time with Athletic last season.

To ensure a smooth recovery, Barcelona didn’t rush Martinez back into action during their pre-season tour of the USA, where they played friendly matches against Arsenal, Real Madrid, and AC Milan.

Unfortunately, Martinez is unlikely to be available for the Getafe clash. On a positive note, 18-year-old midfield prodigy Gavi, who missed the US tour due to a back issue, is nearing full recovery and should feature in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Tottenham Hotspur next week. Likewise, Ilkay Gundogan, who had a minor knock, is also expected to be fit in time for the Spurs game.

The team is hopeful that both Gavi and Gundogan will be eligible for selection against Getafe, but for the eagerly-awaited Martinez debut, fans will have to exercise patience.