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FC Barcelona’s weekend La Liga fixture against Leganes ended with mixed emotions for the team and fans due to the concerning situation of Alejandro Balde. The tough away fixture ended 1-0 in the favour of the Blaugrana with an own-goal from Jorge Saenz. The win ensured Barca’s position at the top of the table with a 4-point lead against arch-rivals Real Madrid in second place but they were handed a crucial blow with an injury to left-back Alejandro Balde. Balde picked up a knock during a tussle with a Leganes player and had to subbed off for Gerard Martin in the 41st minute.
The injury came as a major concern for the club as they have a very important lineup of upcoming fixtures including the return leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Eduna Park in midweek and an important El Clasico Copa Del Rey final towards the end of April. Balde’s injury leaves a gaping hole in defence as he has been a very important part of Hansi Flick’s backline and has been playing some of his best football under the German tactician.
His return to action with the first team will depend on..: Official statement from club over Balde’s recovery
Hansi Flick was asked about the injury situation by the media in the post-match conference and he said that nothing concrete could be said till the required tests are carried out. And now the official social media handles of FC Barcelona have released a statement about the extent of Balde’s injury. The statement read, ‘Tests carried out on Sunday morning on the first team player Alejandro Balde confirm that he has a distal injury to his left hamstring.’
Regarding Balde’s return to action for the Catalan club, the medical team will assess the recovery of the young left-back before deciding whether he is fit to play. His absence will come as a really big blow to the club who are moving towards an historic title charge and it is expected that Gerard Martin will likely be called in to fill the Balde’s void.
