Barcelona suffer fresh defensive setback as Xavi Espart ruled out for seven weeks

Barcelona suffer fresh defensive setback as Xavi Espart ruled out for seven weeks Barcelona have suffered another injury setback after teenage defender Xavi Espart was ruled out for approximately seven weeks following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid. The 19-year-old sustained an injury to his right ankle during El Clasico at the Camp Nou, forcing him off before the half-hour mark. Espart went to ground after experiencing discomfort and was unable to continue, with Alejandro Balde replacing him in the 29th minute. Barcelona subsequently confirmed the extent of the problem in a statement on Monday, estimating that the youngster would require around seven weeks to recover. The diagnosis represents a significant blow for Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, who is already dealing with several injuries across his squad. Espart is expected to miss nine first-team fixtures, including the important La Liga encounter against Atletico Madrid on November 8. The defender is also set to be unavailable for Barcelona’s Champions League meetings with Aston Villa and Manchester City. His absence comes at a particularly difficult time after the Catalan club suffered consecutive defeats in major competitions. Barcelona lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last week before Sunday’s defeat against their fiercest domestic rivals. The Clasico result reduced Barcelona’s advantage over second-placed Atletico to two points, with Real Madrid another point behind. Espart’s injury further complicates Flick’s defensive selection decisions, particularly with Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia also sidelined. The German coach has increasingly relied on the versatile teenager during his breakthrough campaign. A product of Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy, Espart has already started nine matches across La Liga and the Champions League this season. Although naturally a midfielder, he has primarily operated at left-back and can also provide cover on the opposite flank. His technical ability, positional flexibility and willingness to advance into attacking areas have made him a valuable option in Flick’s system. Espart delivered one of his most impressive performances against PSG, scoring his first Champions League goal despite Barcelona’s defeat. The youngster has consequently emerged as one of the club’s most promising academy graduates, earning increased responsibility in a demanding campaign. With Joao Cancelo another option on the left, Flick must now consider how best to redistribute minutes while avoiding further disruption. Barcelona are also without attacking players Dani Olmo and Roony Bardghji, adding to the manager’s selection concerns. Espart’s projected recovery period could keep him out until mid-December, depending on his rehabilitation progress. For Barcelona, the immediate priority is navigating a challenging fixture schedule without another defender who has become increasingly important to their plans.