Barcelona’s injury woes continued on Friday as Alejandro Balde suffered a thigh injury while playing for Spain in a Euro 2024 qualifier. The left-back was substituted in the second half of Spain’s 2-0 win over Scotland, and scans have shown that he is suffering from “discomfort in the adductor muscle.”
Alejandro Balde in a Spain shirt - Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images
Barcelona Injury List Grows to Seven
Balde’s injury is the latest blow for Barcelona, who already have six other players out injured. Pedri, Jules Koundé, Frenkie de Jong, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal are all sidelined, leaving coach Xavi Hernández with a limited squad to choose from.
However, Xavi is hopeful that he will have some of his injured players back in time for the Clasico against Real Madrid on October 28. According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Pedri and Lamine Yamal are expected to be fit for the match, but Lewandowski, Raphinha, de Jong, and Koundé are all ruled out.
Xavi is planning to gradually bring back his injured players, with the aim of having as many players as possible available for the Clasico. However, he is also aware of the need to avoid taking any risks, as Barcelona cannot afford to lose any more players to injury.
