Xavi offers updates as Barcelona lose SEVEN players to injury

Ahead of the trip to Osasuna in La Liga, two more Barca players have joined the club’s injury list.

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has offered updates on Memphis Depay and Jordi Alba after leaving the duo out of his matchday squad.

The absence of Depay, for one, will come as a blow. The Dutchman suffered a hamstring problem in the 3-0 midweek Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. Despite completing the game, he is out of the trip to Osasuna and possibly for the rest of 2021.

Xavi wouldn’t give a possible return date for Depay during a pre-match conference on Saturday.

“He’s played every minute, in Munich, at 3-0, I had thought about making changes. We have not been able to rotate,” said the Barca boss.

“Look at Memphis’ numbers this season. He has played every game for Barça and also for the Dutch national team, it’s been a demanding schedule.”

Luuk de Jong, Ousmane Dembele, Ez Abde, or Yusuf Demir could instead lead the attack in Pamplona.

What about Alba?

The Catalan full-back is also out, after being forced off in the first half against Bayern Munich with a hamstring issue.

However, contrary to previous reports saying otherwise, Xavi has said Alba’s injury is ‘nothing major’. The manager is hopeful he will return for next weekend’s clash with Elche at Camp Nou.

Who else is missing for Barcelona?

Depay and Alba’s injuries mean seven first-team players are unavailable for the club’s trip to Osasuna on Sunday.

The other injured absentees are Sergi Roberto, Pedri, Martin Braithwaite, Ansu Fati, and Sergio Aguero.

Therefore, in light of Depay’s absence, Xavi has called up Barcelona B team forward Ferran Jutgla to add more depth to his attacking options.

🚨 The first squad list for 22-year-old forward, @Ferranett7! Welcome, Jutglà! 💪🔵🔴#OsasunaBarça pic.twitter.com/RzxAaPH6Ag

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 12, 2021