Xavi Hernandez, the coach of Barcelona, requested on Saturday to postpone his team's match against host Real Mallorca scheduled for Sunday in the 19th round of La Liga due to a "severe shortage of players" in the team's lineup. At least 17 players will be absent from the Catalan club's match against Mallorca, while French player Samuel Umtiti is awaiting a decision from Spanish authorities to allow him to participate. Recently, Brazilians Dani Alves, Philippe Coutinho, and Jordi Alba tested positive for COVID-19.
Xavi told reporters on the eve of the match: "If it is not postponed, it will be ridiculous." He added, "The match will be flavorless and without any show for the fans." Xavi noted that "his team is in a limited situation due to 17 absences, between 17 and 18 players, because Samuel Umtiti recovered today, but he is one of the eleven cases we faced." He continued, "We also have two suspended players and six injured ones." Barcelona needs every point in the remainder of their season as they currently sit in seventh place with 28 points.
