Barcelona hit with hammer blow as two key starters are ruled out with injury | OneFootball

Barcelona authored another comeback against Real Oviedo on Thursday night, coming from a goal down to win 3-1. However the cost was significant, with Hansi Flick set to be without two key starters for the coming weeks.

Flick confirmed after the game that Raphinha had come off with an injury in the second half, with the Brazilian straining his hamstring. What they did not expect was the injury to goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who suffered an injury in training on Friday morning.

Raphinha and Joan Garcia to miss key games

According to Diario AS,  Raphinha has a hamstring injury that he suffered at the Nuevo Carlos Tartiere, which will keep him out for around three weeks. It is not yet clear what the issue is that has affected Garcia, but he is also set to be out for around three weeks, implying it is also a muscle strain. That will keep them out until after the international break on the way in October.

Image via Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Barcelona’s upcoming schedule

It comes ahead of demanding run of games before the international break, with Real Sociedad visiting Montjuic on Sunday night. After that, Paris Saint-Germain will visit Barcelona in a blockbuster Champions League clash, before a trip to face Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan before the players head off on international duty.

Both would complete their prescribed time out in time for their return to action at home to Girona, but Barcelona can ill-afford any setbacks. The following midweek Barcelona host Olympiakos in the Champions League, before traveling to the Santiago Bernabeu for El Clasico against Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s injury list

Raphinha and Garcia join Fermin Lopez, Gavi and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on Barcelona’s injury list. The positive for Barcelona is that Flick is expected to get Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal back on Sunday night, with both missing all of September for Barcelona this fair. After the break, Flick will be crossing his fingers that it will only be ter Stegen and Gavi that remain unavailable.