Barcelona hit again after El Clásico: Xavi Espart out with ankle injury

Barcelona suffered a second straight defeat and their injury problems deepened after the 1-2 loss to Real Madrid at Camp Nou, which saw Kylian Mbappé score twice and Rafinha pull one back for the hosts. The result ended a nine-match winning run in the league and left coach Hansi Flick with even fewer defensive options.

Young right-back Xavi Espart was forced off in the first half of El Clásico with an ankle problem. Morning medical checks and reports in the press initially suggested a layoff of roughly two months, which would place a possible return near the end of December or — depending on recovery — at the start of 2027.

Club medical statement

FC Barcelona issued a medical bulletin confirming the nature of the injury. "The tests carried out have confirmed that Xavi Espart suffers a syndesmosis injury of the right ankle as a consequence of a traumatic action with an opposing player during the match against Real Madrid. The estimated time out is approximately seven weeks."

The timetable in the club's statement (around seven weeks) is slightly shorter than earlier media estimates of about two months, but either scenario removes Espart from selection for several upcoming league and cup fixtures.

Espart's absence adds to an already long defensive casualty list. Alongside him, Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen are also out, leaving Flick to pick from a narrowed group.

At present the coach's available options in defence are Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde. The shortage will force tactical adjustments and could influence squad rotation as Barcelona try to regroup after back-to-back defeats.

Photo: FC Barselona\/Tviter