FC Barcelona has been dealt a significant blow ahead of their upcoming fixtures, with one of their key defensive players sidelined due to injury.
The setback occurred during a recent training session, casting a shadow over the team’s preparations for their post-International break La Liga return against Valencia and their Champions League opener against Newcastle United.
The absence of this vital squad member is set to test the squad’s depth as manager Hansi Flick navigates a critical phase of the season.
The player in question is left-back Alejandro Balde, whose injury was confirmed by the club on Wednesday morning, as reported by AS.
According to a statement from Barcelona, the 21-year-old suffered a slight hamstring injury during training, with his return to action dependent on his recovery progress.
Balde, a cornerstone of Flick’s defensive setup, has been a standout performer this season, and his unavailability is a bitter pill for the Blaugrana faithful to swallow.
Balde could be out for approximately four weeks, effectively ruling him out of the crucial clashes against Valencia and Newcastle.
This injury comes at an inopportune time for Barcelona, who are aiming to maintain their momentum in La Liga while kicking off their European campaign on a strong note.
Balde’s absence leaves a gap at left-back, where his pace, defensive tenacity, and attacking contributions have been integral.
Flick will likely turn to alternatives like Héctor Fort or a reshuffled defensive setup to compensate, but replacing Balde’s unique skill set will be no easy task.
For the Valencia match, Barcelona will need to adapt quickly to avoid dropping points in a tightly contested title race.
Similarly, facing a formidable Newcastle side in the Champions League without Balde could complicate Flick’s tactical plans.
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