Key Barcelona player set to undergo surgery

FC Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde is set to undergo surgery after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Copa del Rey match against Athletic Club during the week, confirmed the club on Saturday.

Balde was in the starting lineup to play against Bilbao but the Spaniard was forced to walk off the field just after 22 minutes and now the Catalan club has confirmed that the 20-year-old will be operated.

“Tests show that first team player Alejandro Balde has an injury to the tendon in his right hamstring. In the coming days he will undergo a surgical procedure at the hands of Dr. Lasse Lempainen, under the supervision of the Club’s medical staff, in Turku, Finland. Once the procedure has been carried out a new statement will be released,” the club said in a brief press release.

Balde’s injury is a major setback for Barcelona, especially for head coach Xavi Hernandez, as the club is struggling to get the desired results across competitions.

Xavi is not having the best time as the Blaugrana suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month and were knocked out of CDR after losing to Athletic Bilbao 4-2 recently.

Barcelona are already without their backup left-back, Marcos Alonso, who was operated on a month ago due to a back problem. They also lost newly-signed centre-back Inigo Martinez to an injury a month ago.

The problems are increasing for Xavi, who, despite the club’s backing in the public, is aware that he could be sacked soon if things don’t improve in the coming days.

Barcelona are out of the Spanish Super Cup and CDR and are also only alive in two competitions, the UEFA Champions League and La Liga.

In the Champions League, they will face Napoli in the knockout stage while things aren’t too good for them in La Liga as they are seven points behind league leaders Girona with one less game played.