Barcelona will face Girona this weekend without forward Ferran Torres, dealing a fresh blow to manager Hansi Flick’s selection plans.
The club confirmed a muscle injury has ruled the Spanish international out of the crucial domestic clash.
This setback compounds Barcelona’s existing injury concerns as they navigate a demanding part of the season.
The news follows the earlier confirmation that star midfielder Pedri will also miss the upcoming Champions League match against Chelsea in London.
While Pedri has made remarkable progress in recovering from his own hamstring issue, the club is adamant about not rushing him back, fearing a potential relapse similar to Raphinha’s recent setback.
However, the squad has received one positive update. Marcus Rashford, who sat out the previous match against Athletic Club due to illness, has returned to full training.
The on-loan Manchester United winger is now expected to be available for the trip to his home country to face Chelsea, provided he suffers no further health issues in the final hours before the match.
With Torres now unavailable for the Girona fixture and Raphinha not yet fit to start, Rashford’s return becomes even more critical for Flick’s attacking options.
In midfield, Frenkie de Jong is set to return from suspension, but his partner remains uncertain, with both Marc Casado and the recently impressive Eric Garcia in contention.
The absence of Ferran Torres removes a key attacking weapon for Barcelona as they prepare for a pivotal match against a direct La Liga rival.
The club and its fans will now hope his recovery is swift as they face a challenging period on both domestic and European fronts.
