BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 25: Players and staff of FC Barcelona talk in a huddle before the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on October 25, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
La Liga giants Barcelona have on Sunday evening been dealt a blow on the personnel front. This comes after defensive star Xavi Espart suffered an injury setback.
Hansi Flick’s troops are of course currently locked in action on the domestic front, in a league meeting with arch rivals Barcelona.
The Blaugrana headed into the matchup unable to call on a number of key figures, particularly at the back, where all of Andreas Christensen, Eric García and Jules Koundé were forced to sit out through injury.
And as alluded to above, during the first-half at the Spotify Camp Nou, another member of Flick’s defensive ranks joined those already on the treatment table in Catalunya’s capital.
After pulling up off the ball following a heavy earlier challenge on the part of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Xavi Espart immediately made clear to the hosts’ medical staff that he was unable to continue.
The youngster, as a result, limped off, replaced in Barcelona’s backline by Alejandro Balde.
¡Cambio temprano en Barcelona! 😨
Xavi Espart quedó con molestias tras una disputa por el balón con Tchouameni. En cuanto llegó a la banca Hansi Flick fue a hablar con el canterano. 🫠 pic.twitter.com/KGuGbEA9pX
— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) October 25, 2026
Conor Laird – GSFN