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Barcelona's injury problems worsen as Franck Kessie suffers thigh issue

Barcelona's injury problems worsen as Kessie suffers thigh issue
© Reuters
Barcelona reveal that midfielder Franck Kessie is facing a period on the sidelines due to a thigh problem.

Barcelona have announced that Franck Kessie suffered a thigh injury during a training session on Wednesday morning and now faces a period on the sidelines.

The central midfielder was a late substitute in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Inter Milan, appearing for the final seven minutes of his side's 1-0 defeat at San Siro.

Kessie picked up a thigh problem during the club's training session on Wednesday morning, though, with the Ivory Coast international the latest Barcelona player to be ruled out of action.

"The first team player Franck Kessie has a strained adductor muscle in his right thigh. He is ruled out and his recovery will dictate his return," read a statement on the club's official website.

"The injury occurred in training on Wednesday morning at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. The midfielder from the Ivory Coast came on in the game against Inter on Tuesday in the 83rd minute, replacing Gavi."

Andreas Christensen in action for Barcelona on August 13, 2022© Reuters

Barcelona also lost Andreas Christensen to injury during the clash against Inter, with the Denmark international picking up an ankle problem in the latter stages of the first period.

"Tests carried out on Wednesday have confirmed that the first team player Andreas Christensen has a sprained left ankle. He is unavailable and his recovery will dictate his return," read a statement on Barcelona's website.

Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Hector Bellerin, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay were all not involved in the game against Inter due to injury problems.

As a result, Xavi's side are currently missing seven first-team players ahead of a busy run of matches, which includes two huge Champions League fixtures at home to Inter and Bayern Munich.

Barcelona will also play another five games in La Liga this month, taking on Celta Vigo, Real Madrid, Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Valencia.

Barcelona's Ronald Araujo pictured in September 2022© Reuters

Araujo will not be available for selection until at least November, with the centre-back undergoing surgery on a thigh problem at the end of last month.

However, Barcelona are hopeful that Christensen, Bellerin, De Jong, Kounde and Memphis will be available for selection over the next two to three weeks.

Xavi's side have cover in midfield and attack, but the injuries to Bellerin, Araujo, Kounde and Christensen have left them light at the back.

Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia are currently the team's only fit senior central defenders, while Sergi Roberto could be pressed into action at right-back against Celta this weekend.

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Written by
Matt Law

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Andreas Christensen in action for Barcelona on August 13, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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