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Ivan Rakitic’s oppression has taken its toll on Barcelona and Croatia

By Atharva Khadilkar

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on November 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Aliaga/MB Media/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on November 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Aliaga/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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Ivan Rakitic has been overworked at both, Barcelona and Croatia, in spite of needing rest after some demanding outings in the last few months.

After playing in 70 matches during the 2017/18 season including those on international duty and in the FIFA World Cup 2018, Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic was expected to have some rest, but it has looked like the 30-year-old and the word ‘rest’ have become anonymous.

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Barcelona’s boss Ernesto Valverde nor Croatian manager Zlatko Dalic are willing to rest the midfielder. The case is different with the former since he has resources to replace the Croatia international whose recent displays have signaled a fitness snag.8

After featuring in all the 12 of Barcelona’s league matches and 4 of their Champions League games, playing over 1300 minutes after a busy and fidgety summer, Ivan Rakitic has been overworked not just by Valverde, but even by Zlatko Dalic.

It has now taken its toll on the right midfielder during Croatia’s win over Spain in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday evening in Zagreb. Unfortunately, Rakitic could not make it until the final whistle during the 3-2 victory of his nation.

The former Sevilla player made way for Nikola Vlasic on the 67th minute after seemingly pointing to his hamstring, an injury to which could lead to a lengthy lay off for Ivan Rakitic and pose as a threat to Barcelona.

As Barcelona and its fans awaited the outcome, they have been allowed to breathe a sigh of relief since Zlatko Dalic has now confirmed that the Croatia number 7 has pulled out of the squad and will miss their deciding Nations League fixture at the Wembley on Sunday.

Ivan Rakitic will now return to Barcelona and take tests to determine the extent of his injury which could keep him out for a few weeks in the worst case. As it is, he was going to miss the Atletico Madrid clash next weekend through suspension.

However, Rakitic has been vital to Barcelona and it would be a blow for them if the Croatia international is ruled out for two or three weeks thereby missing clashes against PSV Eindhoven, Villarreal and the Barcelona Derby against Espanyol.

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Who do you think should replace the Croatian at Barcelona if he misses their matches?

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