FC Barcelona's victory against Rayo Vallecano left a bitter taste in the mouth of the Barça fans. When the clock was over 90 minutes and the match was running out in extra time, Marc Bernal was injured in an action with Isi Palazón on the sideline. The midfielder left the field without being able to put weight on his left leg and the club announced on Wednesday, August 2, that the youth player suffered "a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee and an associated injury to the external meniscus," which forces him to say goodbye to the season.
With this serious physical setback, the midfielder joins a long list of footballers who 'fill' the infirmary of the Spotify Camp Nou. The first of them is Gavi, who suffered the same injury as Bernal last November with the Spanish national team. The footballer's recovery is progressing positively and he has already returned to training on the pitch, although he is not expected to be called up, at least, until October to carry out his reintegration into the group progressively and avoid a future relapse.
Likewise, Frenkie de Jong also remains on the sidelines due to his problems with his right ankle. The Dutchman has been out since April and his exact date of return to the Barça discipline is unknown, although it is expected that it could take place after the international break in September. The same case as Ansu Fati, whose plantar fasciitis prevented him from being able to do the preseason under the orders of Hansi Flick and his recovery time is not yet defined.
The big problem in the center of the defense
The situation in the center of the Blaugrana defense is more delicate. Ronald Araújo is confirmed out, in principle, until the end of 2024, although his return to the field could occur at the beginning of next year. The Uruguayan suffered a serious muscle injury with Uruguay in the quarter-finals of the Copa America against Brazil and was forced to undergo surgery, being a sensitive absence for Hansi Flick's system.
Meanwhile, Andreas Christensen has joined the man from La Rivera as long-term absentees in the rearguard. The Dane suffers from tendinopathy in the left Achilles and will be out for at least two months, although his recovery time could be extended. Finally, Eric García closes the list of injured after suffering plantar fasciitis in his right foot and his evolution will determine his availability, although his future at the club is yet to be defined since the Catalans are studying the possibility of transferring him to Girona.