The season is still long, and FC Barcelona have to make big steps going forward. Xavi’s team has recently come under a lot of criticism, and rather justifiably so. However, the rest of the campaign is still in the hands of Barcelona, and they just need to pick themselves up again.
However, things are much easier said than done. The remainder of the season is not just long, it is also tricky and difficult. Barcelona have already suffered two painful defeats in a row, one to Girona in La Liga and another to Royal Antwerp in the Champions League.
Moreover, they now must travel to the Mestalla to face off against Valencia in the Spanish first division. The game itself will be difficult, but Barcelona must also compete with a depleted squad. While Frenkie De Jong’s return to training following his fever is great news, another player did not get so lucky.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Spanish defender Marcos Alonso still remains sidelined. He did not show up in the latest training session, one in which De Jong made his return, and is now expected to not participate in the match against Valencia.
Previously, Alonso had missed the games against Royal Antwerp and Girona due to lower back pain. The player was unable to train and thus unable to compete, and his injury continues to persist. For now, it is unsure when he makes his return, but the game against Valencia will take place without him in the squad.
In other news, three key players still remain sidelined apart from Marcos Alonso. Inigo Martinez continues to recover from his muscular problems from the matchday against Atletico Madrid. Marc Andre Ter Stegen, another injured player, recently underwent surgery successfully and is also recovering.
Lastly, Gavi remains sidelined for a much longer period. His duration on the sidelines is expected to keep him out of action for the season in its entirety. An injury to his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus required surgery, and he continues to recover by himself.