Barcelona announced on Monday that teenage defender Xavi Espart faces approximately seven weeks on the sidelines due to an ankle problem sustained during Sunday's Clasico.
The 19-year-old fullback was forced off during Barcelona's 2-1 home loss to Real Madrid at Camp Nou. Espart has emerged as a key figure in Hansi Flick's squad this season, establishing himself as a consistent starter in the first team.
The injury adds to Barcelona's growing defensive concerns, with multiple players already unavailable. Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, and midfielder Dani Olmo are all currently recovering from their respective injuries.
During his time out, Espart will be absent for several crucial fixtures. The defender will miss Barcelona's La Liga away fixture against Atletico Madrid scheduled for November 8. He will also sit out Champions League encounters against Aston Villa, Sabah, and Manchester City, along with other matches during the recovery period.
Despite suffering their first league defeat of the season, Barcelona maintain their position at the top of La Liga. The Catalan club currently hold a two-point advantage over second-placed Atletico Madrid and are three points clear of Real Madrid, who sit in third place under Jose Mourinho's management.
The injury setback presents a challenge for Flick as he navigates a demanding fixture schedule across multiple competitions while dealing with an increasingly stretched squad.
