Barcelona Atlètic Seek Girona B Postponement Amid Squad Crisis
Barcelona Atlètic have asked the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to postpone their upcoming Segunda Federación match against Girona B after injuries and international call-ups left the reserve side with a severely depleted squad. The Catalan club reportedly considers it impossible to field a competitive team for the fixture, scheduled for next Saturday, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The timing is particularly difficult for coach Juliano Belletti. Barcelona Atlètic have made an impressive start to the season and sit top of Group Two with 25 points. Their meeting with Girona B is therefore more than a local derby: it could have a meaningful impact on the promotion race and the team’s position at the summit.
Only a Small Group of Players Remains Available
Barcelona Atlètic are reportedly without 22 players for the match: eight sidelined by injury and 14 away on international duty. With so many members of the regular squad unavailable at once, Belletti has been left with limited options as he prepares for a demanding fixture against a direct rival.
The players currently available include Bonfil, Ohnstein, Javi Castro, Jariba, Dani Avila, Katowicz, Diarra, Kochen and Alex Gonzalez. Youth-team players Argemi and Gestao could also be called upon, but the club’s remaining pool is still unusually small for a match at this stage of the campaign.
Landry Farre and Guillem Victor have recently joined the injury list, adding to the pressure on the coaching staff. They are among a group that already includes Eder Aller, Shane Kluivert, Pedro Villar, Juan Hernandez and Patricio Pacifico. Sama Noumoko is nearing a return after injury, although his availability for the Girona B game remains an important consideration for Belletti.
International Duty Has Taken Players Across Several Teams
The international window has removed a large portion of Barcelona Atlètic’s squad, with players representing both youth and senior national teams. Iker Rodriguez, Alex Campos, Pedro Rodriguez and Jony Hernandez have joined Spain’s Under-19 squad.
Several other players are away with national teams at the Under-17 World Cup, including Ibrima, Raul Exposito, Pape Koroma, Sergi Mayans, Jordi Bisquer, Ibrima Tounkara, Iyo Martinez and Roberto Tomas. Caicedo has linked up with Ecuador, while Aziz Issa is representing Ghana.
Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim is also unavailable after receiving a call-up to Egypt’s senior national team. Although registered with Barcelona’s first-team squad, he has been featuring for the reserves, making his absence another setback for Belletti’s attacking options.
International call-ups are generally a source of pride for a club, reflecting the development of its young players. But when several selections coincide with injuries, the benefits come with a short-term cost—particularly for a reserve side whose squad depth may be more limited than that of a senior first team.
A Crucial Match in the Group Two Standings
Barcelona Atlètic enter the fixture in first place with 25 points, four clear of second-placed Terrassa. Espanyol B are five points behind, while Girona B trail the leaders by six. Those margins give the upcoming match added significance: a win would help Barcelona preserve their advantage, while a defeat could give their pursuers an opportunity to close the gap.
The standings also explain why the club is seeking a postponement rather than simply accepting the depleted squad as an unavoidable challenge. With the season still developing, every point can shape the contest for the leading positions. A match against Girona B carries particular weight because the visitors are close enough to remain part of the wider race.
At the same time, a postponement would need to be assessed against the competition’s regulations and the practical demands of rescheduling. The RFEF will have to consider the club’s request and determine whether the number of unavailable players meets the relevant criteria. Until a decision is announced, Barcelona Atlètic’s preparation will depend on the assumption that the fixture could still go ahead.
Football Prediction: Squad Availability Could Shape the Outcome
Any football prediction for Barcelona Atlètic versus Girona B should account for the uncertainty surrounding the squad. Barcelona’s strong league position and form make them difficult to dismiss, but their depleted numbers could affect team selection, tactical flexibility and the ability to respond if the match becomes physically demanding.
If the game proceeds, Belletti may need to rely on youth-team players and adapt his approach to the personnel available. A compact structure and careful management of energy could be more practical than an aggressive, high-tempo plan. Girona B, meanwhile, may see the situation as an opportunity to challenge the league leaders, although the match’s local rivalry and competitive pressure could make it unpredictable.
The most important factor may be the RFEF’s decision. A postponement would give Barcelona Atlètic the chance to recover injured players and welcome back their internationals, while playing as scheduled would test the depth of the squad and the club’s ability to maintain momentum under difficult circumstances.
For now, Barcelona Atlètic remain focused on protecting their place at the top of Group Two. Their request highlights the unusual demands placed on reserve teams during international breaks—and leaves fans waiting to discover whether a key Segunda Federación clash will take place next Saturday or be moved to a later date.
