Barcelona have been hit with a new blow at a very bad moment in the season. 21-year-old Alejandro Balde, who is already the first choice at left back, got a left thigh injury in Wednesday's training. He is ruled out for a number of weeks.
The club posted on social media that the injury took place, but it did not offer a return date for when he'll be available. Spanish outlet Marca did some math and stated Balde will be out for three or four weeks. That puts him out of the Champions League first game against Newcastle and at least two La Liga matches, against Valencia and Getafe.
Why Balde's absence is of concern
Not anyone is being kept on the sidelines here. We’re talking about the left back Flick leaned on from day one. Balde started every league match, but the catch is he never actually finished one. Balde opened all of them, but here’s the detail: he never finished. Always subbed off in the second half. That already hinted the staff was managing his minutes, maybe concerned about fatigue. Since the injury has now been confirmed, Barça will have to restructure or play less tried players to complete the left flank.
Yes, there are individuals who would say three or four weeks flew by. But the calendar doesn't apologize. Newcastle is up next in the Champions League and that's not another game. That's the beginning, the competition Barcelona needs to take seriously after recent years' bungles. And to go into it without the regular left back? That upsets the team's equilibrium in a way you can't get around.
A lengthy list of absentees
And Balde is not the only absentee. Ter Stegen remains recovering from a second operation on his back and won't be back until October. Gavi has been sidelined by a knee issue, although he'll be back after the international break.
The irony is obvious. Barça began the season talking about the battle for everything, every trophy, and a few weeks later they are battling with injuries. And it is not bad luck. It is also the question of depth of the team, or lack of it. Of course, the squad is talented, but there are no reliable backups in some spots. Lacking Balde for three weeks would not appear so bad if there were someone ready to replace him. The reality is, there is not.