Hansi Flick turns to two young prospects ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League trip to Paris after injuries leave the Catalan club short of defensive options.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has called up 18-year-old defender Alex Campos and Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim for Tuesday’s Champions League clash away to reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Flick faces defensive concerns after Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde became unavailable. Garcia and Kounde picked up injuries during Barcelona’s 5-2 victory away to Real Betis on Saturday.

Campos, a regular starter for Barca Atletic this season, has earned an opportunity to join the senior squad. The young defender is regarded as reliable defensively, strong in the air and comfortable distributing the ball from the back.

Abdelkarim has also attracted attention after featuring for both Barcelona’s first team and reserve side since his move from Egyptian club Al Ahly became permanent.

The forward featured for Barca Atletic at the weekend in Spain’s RFEF Second Federation, the fourth tier of domestic football. He scored in a 2-1 victory over Utebo, providing another encouraging contribution as he seeks to establish himself within the club’s system.

Barcelona now face a significant European test against PSG, with Flick having to manage his defensive absences while considering opportunities for emerging talent.

The inclusion of Campos and Abdelkarim highlights the club’s willingness to turn to its younger players during a demanding period of the season.