Barcelona are in a pathetic situation and the main area which deserves to take the blame is the backline. Ernesto Valverde has to cater to a long injury layoff to one of his star players.
Barcelona and Real Madrid face off in the season’s first El Clasico less than two weeks from now at the Camp Nou. This will be a much testing affair for both the clubs who are far away from their best in the league this season. While Real Madrid have struggled in scoring the goals, Barcelona have struggled to keep them out.
Gerard Pique is having a woeful season and it’s probably the worst that we have seen of the veteran Barcelona defender. It’s hard to figure out whether the his problems are due to ageing or if he’s enduring a barren run of form, but what’s clear is that he has to improve as he is the leader of the backline.
Samuel Umtiti has been sidelined a fortnight ago as well and is in danger of being out until 2019 too. Barcelona have now confirmed that Thomas Vermaelen has also been asked to take rounds to the hospital often and that the extent of his injury can keep him out for up to six weeks. That means Barcelona only have Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet at central defense who are at full fitness.
A statement released by Barcelona on their official website read: “The tests carried out on Monday confirmed that first team player Thomas Vermaelen has an injury to the femoral biceps of his right leg. Approximate down time is six weeks.”
Author’s Take
Thomas Vermaelen getting injured is a massive blow for Barcelona who are already enduring major issues in their defensive unit. The Catalans now have only two experienced central defenders who are free from injuries and will hope that Pique and Lenglet stay fit for a while, or at least during the defining week ahead.
