Barcelona duo pick up muscle injuries on first day of the international break

A month into the new season, Barcelona were dealing with players’ fitness quite well. Nobody except Sergi Roberto had picked up any concerning injury, with the new medical care regime of the club being hailed highly.

However, as is tradition, the international break comes with immediate bad news. Playing for France, against Austria, Jules Kounde picked up an injury in the 23rd minute. He had to be substituted off the pitch with the help of a doctor.

French national team coach Didier Deschamps confirmed that it is a thigh injury, but the extent of it is still unknown. The good news, however, is that Kounde did not have to be stretchered off.

Barely 20 minutes after this, Frenkie de Jong was taken off at half-time for the Netherlands. The reasons for this decision are still unclear, though.

Matters have become worse regardless, though, since Memphis Depay seems to have pulled his hamstring in the second half vs Poland. He had to be subbed off, as well, and details about his injury will be released by Louis van Gaal during the post-game press conference.

Barcelona have a bizarre schedule awaiting them in October, with away trips to Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Valencia awaiting them. Apart from this, they also host Villarreal, Athletic Club, and Bayern Munich in consecutive home games.

However, this is exactly what Xavi and the administration prepared for before the season started. There is ample quality and quantity on the bench for Barcelona; they will have to hope they don’t face more trouble ahead, though.