Barcelona's 19-year-old January arrival trains with first team after injury blows | Barca Universal

"Manager Hansi Flick lost both his full-backs, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, to hamstring injuries during the game against Los Rojiblancos, which his team won 3-0. As confirmed by the club, Balde is set to be out for four weeks, while Kounde, too, could be staring at a similar period on the sidelines."

"Patricio Pacifico, 19, joined Barça only in the January transfer window, arriving on a loan deal from Uruguayan club Defensor Sporting. The deal runs until the end of the season, with the Catalans retaining an option to make the signing permanent. The South American teenager is a left-back capable of playing as a left-sided centre-back as well."

"Jofre Torrents, who has been regularly in the first-team dynamics this season, would have been called up in the current circumstances. However, the teenage La Masia prospect is out with an injury himself, opening the doors for Pacifico."

Barcelona suffered significant defensive injuries during their 3-0 Copa del Rey victory against Atletico Madrid. Full-back Alejandro Balde will miss four weeks with a hamstring injury, while Jules Kounde faces a similar recovery timeline. In response, manager Hansi Flick called up two young defenders to train with the senior squad: 18-year-old La Masia right-back Xavi Espart and 19-year-old left-back Patricio Pacifico, who joined on loan from Uruguayan club Defensor Sporting in January. Pacifico's call-up came after fellow prospect Jofre Torrents was ruled out with injury. Whether either young player receives squad selection for the upcoming La Liga match against Athletic Club remains uncertain.

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