Ronald Koeman has an injury crisis at Barcelona after defenders Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto are facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.
This is following tests that confirmed they had knee and hamstring injuries respectively. With the sales of Nelson Semedo, Barca could be short at the back. The duo sustained the injury during the 1-0 league defeat at Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
According to the Spanish media, examinations carried out on Sunday revealed Pique has a grade three sprain to his internal lateral ligament and a partial anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee. Roberto on his part has a ruptured hamstring in his right leg. The length of absence of Pique is yet to be ascertained.
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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 22, 2020
Tests carried out this Sunday on @3gerardpique have shown that he has a grade 3 sprain in the internal lateral ligament and partial injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The evolution of the injury will condition his availability. pic.twitter.com/0Bf0EnXiZo
This has led to speculation that the 33-year-old center-back could be sidelined for at least eight weeks.
They however confirmed that Sergi Roberto will need approximately two months to recover.
Pique and Sergi Roberto have played 10 games each for Barca this season. Their absence leaves Clement Lenglet as the only fit central defender for Tuesday’s game at Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League. Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Araujo are unavailable due to other fitness issues.
🔋 Big Sam pic.twitter.com/a9T8r7sNXO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 22, 2020
But the club took to its social media page to see the France center-back training. The medical team could speed up his recovery process so as to be available for selection against the Ukrainian club.
Ronald Koeman expresses worry over Barcelona injury crisis as Pique and Sergi Roberto join treatment room
The duo has now joined Ansu Fati in the treatment room, leaving him with small amount of squad players having sold out some players to balance the book and reduce their debt that is already over 700m Euros.
The latest development has left the Dutch manager worried.
“I am worried just as any coach would be. There are many injuries because of the calendar we have.
“We have to wait and see how long they’ll be out for but clearly I’m worried,” Barca boss Ronald Koeman said after Saturday’s game when asked about the latest injuries.
❝I am happy with the desire of the players.❞
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 21, 2020
— @RonaldKoeman, following the loss at Atlético pic.twitter.com/8dbNxVvfFc
Also out on a long term is midfielder, Sergio Busquets, who suffered a knee injury while on international duty with Spain.
