Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets could be out for 15 days after the injury he picked up against Sevilla. His presence in the first leg against Manchester United on 16 February is doubtful.
It wasn’t all positive for Barcelona on Sunday. Despite winning, seeing Real Madrid lose and extending their lead to eight points, Sergio Busquets‘ injury robbed them of full joy.
The Barca captain was forced to leave after just five minutes and, pending further tests, is suffering from a grade II ankle sprain that could keep him out for the next 15 days, according to ‘AS’.
If this period of absence is confirmed, Busquets will miss the first leg of the Europa League tie against Manchester United, unless he reduces his recovery time.
It is an important absence for Xavi Hernandez, who has always relied on the midfielder as a link between defence and attack. It was Kessie who replaced him who replaced him against Sevilla.
Xavi could opt to return to a three-man midfield, with De Jong in the ‘5’ position, and open up the flanks to Raphinha and either Ferran Torres or Ansu Fati.