Injury update: Barcelona youngster out for nearly a week, could play vs Real Madrid

If their elimination from the Europa League at the hands of Manchester United was not enough, Barcelona fans were dealt with more bad news yesterday as Ansu Fati picked up a knee injury in training.

The Spaniard has, in the past, dealt with an ACL tear, among several recurring hamstring injuries, but has been relatively injury-free this season. Despite that, though, he has been shifting between a third and fourth choice winger in Xavi’s plans.

The tactician prefers the services of Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha over him, which has been evident from the get-go. However, he has also resorted to using Gavi as a left-winger to gain more control in midfield against big oppositions.

That said, Fati has been a regular player off-the-bench for Barcelona this season. He has played in all but one game in the league, but will not be able to keep up his appearances on the weekend as he deals with the injury.

Javi Miguel claims that Fati’s injury is not serious and that he is only expected to be sidelined for 5-7 days.

However, during that time-span, Barcelona take on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. The journalist claims that Fati could make it back in time for the game, but nothing is confirmed yet.

In his rather short-lived career so far, Fati has played seven games against Madrid. He has lost five of them, won one, and drawn one. He does have two goals against them during that time, with only Villarreal (four), and Levante (three) conceding more against him.

With Dembele and Pedri also sidelined, it does make Xavi’s task against Madrid infinitely tougher, who will be hoping to push the tie far and beyond Barcelona’s reach by the time they can get their team fit and back.