Ronald Koeman may face more personnel problems in the run-up to the game against Real Madrid, which is scheduled for next Sunday. Sport and ASH report that Jordi Alba has suffered an ankle injury in the Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev (1-0 victory). It will be a race against time to get the fullback ready for el Classico.
Alba was inside the lines for ninety minutes against Dynamo Kiev, but nevertheless left the field battered. “I have something, but I don’t know exactly what,” Alba said afterwards, after he had already been helped on the field by the medical staff. The fullback appeared in the mixed zone with an icepack on his right ankle and initial scans have revealed he has suffered a joint sprain. The coming days should show whether Alba will recover sufficiently to be fit for the clash with Real Madrid.
ASH writes that at Barcelona an injection with corticosteroids is seen as the main solution to get Alba ready to play in time. A decision on this will have to be made on Saturday afternoon, because it takes 24 hours for such an injection to have the desired effect. Spanish media emphasize that Alba’s employability for el Classico considered ‘vital’ at Barcelona. Compared to the duel with Dynamo Kiev, Koeman does have Eric García back after he sat out a suspension.
In any case, Koeman cannot rely on Pedri and Ronald Araújo against Real Madrid, both of whom have not recovered in time from a hamstring injury. It is possible that Ousmane Dembélé will be fit again in time to be part of the selection, although he will only be able to come in as a substitute during el Classico. The same goes for Sergio Aguero, who played as a substitute against Valencia and Dynamo Kiev in the final phase.
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