It's been a terrible week for Barça both on an off the pitch. They might have the Liga sewn up, but the double with the Copa del Rey is starting to look like it's on shaky ground with various players out injured.
The team wants to leave the disaster at Liverpool behind it and look to erase it with the jubilation like the Copa - the match is on 25th May in Seville. Their opponent, Valencia, is on a roll having moved back to fourth in the Liga. But Barça's problems aren't with the other team, they're within its own.
Photo: EFE
Injury problems
Spirits aren't the best in the dressing room, nor is the team's physical condition. The long season, which started way back in August, has taken its toll. Now the players are all the more susceptible to dangerous injuries which could hamstring the team for the final final of the season.
The Liga ends next weekend with an irrelevant match at Eibar. The Saturday after, however, will see the Copa final at Benito Villamarín. Two matches, one a final, to revive a team in poor form and poor spirits.
EFE
Elimination from the Champions League has hit hard for the individual players, and the team as a whole. Then there was confirmation that Luis Suárez's season has ended after surgery for a medial meniscus injury in his right knee. Philippe Coutinho too, expected to be out for ten days having strained his left hamstring in the match against Getafe. That would mean he'll be back for the final if all goes to plan. Returning with him could be Ousmane Dembélé, who injured his right hamstring against Celta earlier this month. His recovery time, however, is tighter if he's to be available for the Copa.
Certainly out is Rafinha Alcántara, out for months already and not to return until next season. Arthur Melo should be given the green light this week, but who knows? And then there's Samuel Umtiti who's had knee problems all seasons - maybe he'll drop out at the last minute...