Barcelona veteran will be fit to face Alaves after dealing with muscle discomfort vs Young Boys | OneFootball

Inigo Martinez was one of the stars of the show for Barcelona as they thrashed Young Boys 5-0 last night in the UEFA Champions League.

The veteran defender scored and assisted one goal apiece on the night and was rock-solid defensively throughout, once again showcasing why Hansi Flick has grown to trust him so much.

So, naturally, when Martinez asked to come off the pitch in the latter stages of the match, it raised some concerns within the Barça fanbase, considering how the squad has been ravaged by injuries this season.

Martinez will be ready for Alaves

However, in a positive development, SPORT reports that while Martinez did finish last night’s game with some muscle discomfort, he will be fit and available for selection when Barcelona face Alaves at the weekend.

The report states that Martinez was indeed dealing with slight muscular discomfort, but it was not a major concern and that he could have easily finished the game on the pitch.

Inigo Martinez scored vs Young Boys. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

However, with the victory in the bag, the defender, along with manager Hansi Flick, decided it was best for him to be taken off, with Andres Cuenca coming on to make his debut as the replacement.

The former Athletic Club captain looked in discomfort on the bench after being subbed off and was engaged in discussions with the staff.

But, there is nothing to worry about and everything suggests that Martinez will be available at Flick’s disposal when Barcelona fly to Vitoria to take on Alaves.

The 33-year-old has been in his best form in recent weeks and last night’s performance was simply on another level.

In a team filled with young talents, the veteran defender’s experience and leadership have also been coming to the fore as well.

Martinez has been a permanent fixture in the side under Flick, with his only rest coming in the defeat against Osasuna. While he will be fit for the Alaves clash, it will be interesting to see whether the manager opts to take it easy with him and give him another break.