Barcelona missing five players through injury against Inter Milan

Barcelona will be missing five players through injury for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

Ronald Araujo (groin), Jules Kounde (hamstring), Andreas Christensen (ankle), Memphis Depay (hamstring) and Hector Bellerin (calf) remain on the sidelines through injury.

However, the Catalan giants have been boosted by the return of Franck Kessie, who has recovered from the thigh problem that he picked up last week.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, head coach Xavi said that Kounde could be available for this weekend's Clasico with Real Madrid.

"We're not counting on him (Kounde) for the match against Inter, barring any surprises... for El Clasico we'll see, he could be available but it will depend on his sensations. He is training hard. My feeling is that he will be available for El Clasico," he told reporters.

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Christensen, Bellerin, Araujo and Memphis, though, are all set to miss out against Barcelona, with Kounde seemingly the only player standing a chance of returning this weekend.

The defensive issues have left Xavi short in that area of the field, with Gerard Pique potentially lining up alongside Eric Garcia in the middle.

However, there have also been suggestions that Marcos Alonso could play in central defence, with Jordi Alba or Alejandro Balde lining up at left-back.

Meanwhile, Sergi Roberto is likely to get the nod at right-back due to the absences in that area of the field, with Kounde and Bellerin both missing from the selection.

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Further forward, Frenkie de Jong was back against Celta Vigo at the weekend, and Kessie's return means that Xavi has plenty of options in that area of the field.

"He's fine, he's coming off a small injury, we'll see if he's ready to start or maybe in the second half," said Xavi when asked about De Jong's fitness, with the Dutchman suffering a problem on international duty.

The injuries mean that there is another spot in the squad for Marc Casado, with the 19-year-old providing cover at right-back and in central midfield, and he will be bidding to make his debut for the club on Wednesday.

Barcelona are currently third in Group C, three points behind second-placed Inter, who recorded a 1-0 victory in the reverse game between the two sides last week.

Barcelona squad vs. Inter Milan:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Pique, Alonso, Alba, Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Pedri, Kessie, Roberto, F de Jong; Casado, Gavi, Torre; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati, Torres, Raphinha