Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has said it is "crazy" this weekend's match against Mallorca is going ahead following a COVID-19 outbreak at the Catalan club.
Barca have confirmed 10 positive cases in their first-team squad and a further seven players are either suspended, injured or a suspect for the game in San Moix.
However, LaLiga rules state that if clubs have at least five first-team players available, fixtures must be played and a 13-man team with at least one goalkeeper is fielded by drawing on the reserve team. can be lowered into.
"We will turn to the B team and we will go there to win the game, but we are missing 17 players," Xavi told a news conference.
"I'm worried. It seems crazy to me that [La Liga] won't suspend it. It doesn't make sense. We are very much on the border. Common sense should have prevailed.
"The rules are much tougher. Mallorca are in a similar situation, though not as dire. It's chaotic, but we'll go there for three points."
Sergio Dest, Abde Azlazouli, Osman Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, Gavi, Dani Alves, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Alejandro Balde and Samuel Umeti all posted positive results earlier this week.
Xavi says Umtiti has tested negative and she can still play against Mallorca, but Sergio Busquets will definitely miss the game through suspension.
With Martin Braithwaite and Sergi Roberto sidelined with injuries and Memphis Depay, Anu Fati and Pedri all close to return, Xavi said Sunday's match "could come very soon" for them.
Despite this, Xavi still has at least nine first-team players available - Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Neto, Ronald Araujo, Eric Garcia, Gerard Pique, Oscar Mingueza, Frankie de Jong, Ricky Puig and Luc de Jong - Which means the game must go on.
B team players Nico González, Ferran Jatgla lvaro Sanz, Arnau Comás, Mika Marmol, Guillaume Jaume, Lucas de Vega, Elias Akhomach and Estanis Pedrola are all training with the first team to take the numbers this week.
Meanwhile, Xavi said he has not given up hope of tying Dembele to a new deal, despite a setback in talks this week.
Dembele, 24, is out of contract in June and is now free to talk to other clubs with Barca and his agents still unable to reach an agreement on the new terms.
"I'm not discouraged," Xavi said of the situation. "It is a negotiation. Sometimes consultants and agents can be difficult. But Barca's position is clear and the process is on.
"I'm optimistic and I hope Osman will try [to upgrade]. He has a great offer. There's always a back and forth."
Xavi also confirmed that tying Dembele to a new deal would allow Barca the financial room to file "one or two signatures" in January.
By proceeding to commit to the club, Barca could spread the remaining amortization payment over the transfer fee paid to them in 2017 over the length of their new terms, placing them within their LaLiga-imposed spending limit of €97 million. can be created. weather.