Barcelona have, late on Sunday, been dealt a blow on the personnel front.
Xavi Hernandez’s troops, of course, are currently locked in action.
Amid ongoing efforts to wrestle back the La Liga title from Real Madrid, the Blaugrana have welcomed fierce rivals Real Madrid to the Camp Nou, for the latest edition of El Clasico.
Barca headed into proceedings in the knowledge that an eventual victory would see them put one hand firmly on the Spanish top-flight title, too, owing to what would be a hefty 12-point advantage at the division’s summit.
As things stand with 45 minutes on the clock in Catalunya’s capital, though, the scoreline remains deadlocked.
This comes after Ronald Araujo’s early own goal was cancelled out by a fine Sergi Roberto strike at the other end, on the stroke of the interval.
SERGI ROBERTO TIES IT FOR BARCELONA! GAME ON! pic.twitter.com/ibxPbMDmXU
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 19, 2023
This comes with a key member of the club’s frontline in line to sit out next time out.
The player in question? Raphinha.
After being shown his fifth booking of the term, Brazilian international Raphinha has picked up a suspension, unavailable for selection when Barca make the trip to Elche on April 1st as a result.
[33′] 🟨: Raphinha.
He will be suspended for the next game vs Elche. It’s his 5th of the season.
— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) March 19, 2023
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