FC Barcelona are having a massive injury crisis take place within the Catalan club. Several stars are currently sidelined due to various injuries and have varying recovery times. For Xavi Hernandez, this is a particularly severe headache given the number of unavailable players.
For context, seven different players were previously injured and unavailable for selection. All of the injured players, moreover, are fundamental pieces of Xavi’s squad. However, Barcelona are now in for some even more bad news.
Another player injured
As confirmed officially by FC Barcelona, 31-year-old La Masia graduate Sergi Roberto is now injured. As per the details provided, he has a ‘soleus muscle injury in his right leg’. He will further be ‘unable to play until the problem goes away’.
While an exact return date is not yet provided, this update comes at a bad time for Barcelona. Sergi Roberto now becomes the eighth injury on the list of sidelined players. However, on the bright side, both Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal recently took part in a group training session.
The upcoming Basque test
With a La Liga game against Athletic Bilbao scheduled to take place on the 22nd of this month, Xavi will have to make his call. The development of every injured star will be assessed and then a decision to include them will be made. It seems unlikely, however, that Roberto will now end up featuring against Athletic Bilbao at least.
Using the subsidiary
Due to the lack of available stars, even the subsidiary has been looked into. Several youngsters, including Marc Guiu and Pau Victor, have been considered to be brought in for the game. It will be Xavi’s decision to make, keeping in mind the informal pact with Rafa Marquez regarding using his players.
With El Clasico also on the horizon, Barcelona will need to be careful. Xavi will want no more relapses or extended periods on the sidelines for his players. Hence, extra precautions will be taken to ensure he does not end up losing any more Barcelona players for a season that is still a long way out from concluding.
