CORNERFLICK
Javi Espart is expected to miss around seven weeks after sustaining a right ankle injury in Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to Real Madrid.
Injury confirmed after medical checks
The Spain Under-21 defender, 19, came off after 30 minutes of El Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou, having asked Hansi Flick to replace him when he could not continue.
Barcelona said Espart underwent medical tests at the stadium on Matchday 10 of La Liga after he went down in the 10th minute following a challenge with Aurelien Tchouameni. The diagnosis points to damage in the ankle bone and the ligaments in his right ankle.
Flick waits on other defenders
The setback leaves Flick short at full-back for several weeks. Espart had been a regular option for the German coach before the injury.
Barcelona also hope to have Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen back as soon as possible.