Barcelona blow: Eric García out 3-4 weeks, Koundé misses PSG

LaLiga leaders Barcelona will travel to Paris Saint-Germain without two of their defenders. In a medical update on 18 October 2026, the club said Eric García has damaged the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh, with an expected recovery time of three to four weeks. Jules Koundé sprained his left ankle and has been ruled out of the Champions League game against PSG.

Both problems emerged after Barcelona's 5-2 league win away at Real Betis on 17 October 2026. According to Goal, García scored in that match before being forced off late on with a muscle issue, while Koundé was later seen limping in training.

Which matches will Eric García and Koundé miss?

Eric García will miss the trip to the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, and El Clásico against Real Madrid on Sunday, 25 October 2026. Goal reports that the 25-year-old Spain international could also sit out fixtures against Alavés, Aston Villa and Atlético Madrid. Koundé is definitely out of the PSG game; the club said whether he faces Real Madrid will depend on how the ankle responds.

ScoreLab data shows García has played 559 minutes across 7 LaLiga matches this season with an average rating of 7.12, including 45 minutes and a goal at Betis. Koundé has logged 351 minutes in 6 league games, scoring and earning player of the match honours in the 3-0 win over Getafe, then providing an assist at Betis.

Who will play in Barcelona's defence against PSG?

Hansi Flick has to rebuild his back line in Paris, with Andreas Christensen also unavailable. Goal, citing Mundo Deportivo, says Pau Cubarsí is the only centre-back fully fit. Gerard Martín, taken off against Betis with a foot problem, showed inflammation rather than a tear or fracture in initial tests, and the club hopes he recovers in time for the trip to Paris.

Options at full-back are thin too. Alejandro Balde has had little game time, managing only 12 minutes against Racing Santander, so Joao Cancelo and Xavi Espart are expected to fill the full-back roles. L'Équipe noted that Barcelona will be without both of their right-backs, Koundé and García, in Paris.

How is Barcelona's season going?

The injuries arrive in the middle of a perfect run. According to Goal, Barcelona have won all 9 of their LaLiga games and sit top on 27 points, 5 clear of second-placed Atlético Madrid. In the Champions League they have beaten Feyenoord 5-1 and Turkish side Galatasaray 4-1 away. Losing two defenders before a week featuring PSG and Real Madrid tests Flick's squad depth.

What comes next?

1. 17 October 2026 — Real Betis 2-5 Barcelona; García and Martín pick up problems
2. 18 October 2026 — Barcelona issue medical update on García and Koundé
3. 20 October 2026 — PSG vs Barcelona, Champions League (García and Koundé out)
4. 25 October 2026 — Barcelona vs Real Madrid, LaLiga (García out, Koundé a doubt)