Barcelona Starts Gerard Martin Against PSG as Rodri Sits Out

Barcelona will start Gerard Martin against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes in Paris, with coach Hansi Flick leaving Rodrigo Hernandez, known as Rodri, on the bench for the match. Mundo Deportivo reported on October 20, 2026, that Martin had recovered sufficiently from discomfort following the game against Real Betis to take his place in the starting lineup.

Martin, 24, had been among the Barcelona players who finished the Real Betis match carrying physical discomfort. Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia also experienced problems, but neither defender was included in the squad for the PSG fixture.

Mundo Deportivo reported that medical examinations conducted after Barcelona returned on Sunday ruled out an injury for Martin. However, swelling around his foot caused some discomfort when he put weight on it, prompting the club to monitor his condition before making a final decision on his availability.

After assessing his progress, Barcelona decided Martin was ready to play. He will partner Pau Cubarsi in central defense for a demanding match that represents one of the toughest tests of Flick's team so far this season, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The decision to leave Rodri out of the starting lineup was another notable element of Flick's selection. Mundo Deportivo reported that the midfielder was omitted for technical reasons rather than because of a physical problem.

Barcelona's confirmed starting lineup consists of Joan Garcia; Espart, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin and Cancelo; Bernal, Pedri and Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon.

The substitutes are Livakovic, Szczesny, Brian Fariñas, Gavi, Balde, Fermin, Gabriel Jesus, Adeyemi, Rodrigo, De Jong, Abdelkarim and Alex Campos. Rodri is listed among the substitutes under the name Rodrigo.

In addition to Eric Garcia and Kounde, Barcelona are without Christensen and Roony for the PSG match. Their absences have affected Flick's defensive options, with Martin's return allowing him to partner Cubarsi in central defense.

Martin's fitness had remained a key selection concern because of the swelling and discomfort after the Betis game. The club's decision to include him in the starting eleven followed a period of monitoring rather than a diagnosis of a serious injury.

Barcelona will also be watching the recovery progress of the unavailable defenders ahead of El Clasico, with the availability of Eric Garcia and Kounde still to be assessed, Mundo Deportivo reported.