Just when Barcelona thought El Clásico couldn't get any worse, it did.

Ouch. What started as a painful 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu has just turned into a proper injury nightmare for Barcelona.

The club has confirmed that breakout defender Xavi Espart will spend around seven weeks on the sidelines with a right ankle injury, reports cbinews.tv.

The 19-year-old full-back was forced off in just the 30th minute on Sunday after a heavy collision with a Real player, replaced by Alejandro Balde. Tests have since confirmed damage to the syndesmosis, that’s the tough ligament that holds your ankle joint together.

“The tests carried out have confirmed that Xavi Espart is suffering from an injury to the syndesmosis of the right ankle as a result of a traumatic action with an opposing player during the match against Real Madrid. The estimated time out is approximately seven weeks,” Barcelona said in a medical statement.:

This isn’t just any squad player. Espart has been the feel-good story of Hansi Flick’s season. The teenager broke into the first team this campaign, has already played nine games, chipped in with two goals and two assists, and became a regular starter. For a La Masia kid to go from prospect to El Clásico starter in months, then be carried off in the biggest game in Spain, that’s brutal.

Barça had been unbeaten until Sunday. That loss was their first of the season and handed Real Madrid serious momentum. Now Flick is suddenly light at the back.

A seven-week layoff puts Espart out until mid-December, meaning he could miss crucial LaLiga fixtures against Alavés and Atlético Madrid, plus Champions League ties including Aston Villa. It’s another name on Barcelona’s growing defensive injury list.

Think of it as a high ankle sprain, but worse. It’s not the usual rolled ankle. It’s damage to the ligaments above the ankle that stabilise the tibia and fibula. It happens from that twisting, traumatic impact, exactly the kind you get in a full-blooded Clásico challenge. Recovery is slower because the joint needs to be completely stable again before you can sprint, twist and tackle.

No surgery needed for now, just rehab and careful recovery. Barcelona will lean on Balde and Jules Koundé to fill the gap, with Koundé expected back soon. If all goes to plan, Espart could be back just before the busy Christmas schedule.

For Barça fans, it’s a case of: lose the Clásico, lose your in-form teen star. Double blow.

cbinews.tv

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