Barcelona have been dealt another blow in defence after confirming that Xavi Espart will be out of action for around seven weeks. The 19-year-old injured his ankle in the first half of Sunday's Clásico defeat to Real Madrid in La Liga and was replaced by Alejandro Balde. Tests at Barça's training ground on Monday revealed an injury to the syndesmosis joint in his right ankle, caused by a collision with an opposition player.
The loss further limits coach Hansi Flick's options in defence. Andreas Christensen, Jules Koundé and Eric García all missed the Clásico with various knocks. Balde, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and João Cancelo are now the only first-team defenders available. Christensen and Koundé are the closest to returning, though it is unclear whether either will be ready for the home league game against Alavés on Sunday.
Espart, part of the 2007 generation at Barça alongside Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal and Marc Bernal, had been enjoying a breakout season for the La Liga leaders after Flick reconverted him into a full-back. He began the campaign at left-back but played at right-back in recent defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid, following injuries to Koundé and García.
The 2-1 loss to Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou was Barça's first league defeat of the season, ending a run of nine consecutive wins. It followed their first Champions League defeat of the campaign, a 4-2 loss to PSG last Tuesday.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing