Official: Barcelona defender out for four weeks with hamstring injury | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have issued an official statement confirming that key defender Alejandro Balde has suffered a hamstring injury, which will rule him out of action for a month.

“Alejandro Balde presents an injury to the distal biceps femoris of the left thigh. Tests determine that the recovery process will take approximately 4 weeks,” the club statement read.

Balde was not part of the starting lineup against Atletico Madrid last night, with Hansi Flick opting to go with Joao Cancelo as his preferred left-back.

However, only ten minutes in, the La Masia graduate was brought on as a substitute after Jules Kounde had to be taken off with an injury. Balde slotted in on his natural position on the left, with Cancelo moving to right-back.

But, in the second period, with Barça leading 2-0, the left-back pulled up with pain in the back of his thigh. He was immediately withdrawn to be replaced by Ronald Araujo, who slotted in at centre-back, with Gerard Martin moving to left-back.

It has now been confirmed that Balde has suffered a hamstring injury, which will keep him out for one month.

It means that the left-back will miss the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Newcastle United this month, in addition to La Liga fixtures against Athletic Club, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano.

Barcelona will hope to have him available for the league clash against Atletico Madrid in the first week of April after the international break.