Rabat – Barcelona have suffered another injury blow after confirming that full-back Xavi Espart is expected to miss roughly seven weeks.
The 19-year-old sustained a right ankle injury during the team’s 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clasico, joining a growing list of sidelined defenders for the Catalan side.
“Tests carried out have confirmed that Xavi Espart is suffering from an injury to the syndesmosis joint in his right ankle due to a collision with an opposing player in the game against Real Madrid,” the club announced on Monday.
Following evaluation at Barcelona’s training complex, tests confirmed “the player will be out for around seven weeks.”
Espart’s absence leaves Hansi Flick with severely limited backline options.
The Barcelona manager was already forced to navigate El Clasico without Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, and Eric Garcia, all missing with physical setbacks.
As a result of the ongoing injury crisis, Flick is left with just four fit first-team defenders: Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, and Joao Cancelo.
Christensen and Kounde are making progress toward their returns, though their participation in Sunday’s league match against Alaves is still in doubt.
Espart’s setback interrupts a promising breakthrough season at the highest level.
Part of Barcelona’s 2007 generation, Espart had established himself as a reliable option for the Catalan club after Flick converted him into a full-back.
Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory at Spotify Camp Nou brought Barcelona’s impressive start to the LaLiga campaign to an end.
The defeat marked the league leaders’ first loss of the season, snapping a nine-game winning streak.
