Yes, there’ll be immediate pressure on the Dutchman to deliver for his new club, but without Dembele breathing down his neck, at least initially, he can ease himself into the side.Īnsu’s own injury hell should soon be over, and he too will be champing at the bit to prove that, despite almost a year out, he can still be the player everyone believes he will turn out to be. In some respects it gets Ronald Koeman out of a hole too, because he wasn’t going to bring Memphis in to sit him on the bench week in and week out. Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

It’s a bitter blow for the player and for Barca, but what does it mean in the grand scheme of things?įrom a playing perspective, it surely opens up the door for Memphis and Ansu Fati to stake their claims.Įither could have a seven to eight week period where they’re not being challenged by the Frenchman for the position, and by the time he’s fit to start again, there’s every chance he’ll be completely out of the picture as far as starting games is concerned.

Information from Reuters and the Associated Press was used in this story.Just when he appeared to be finding some continued rhythm to his game, becoming more important for Barca in the process, he is struck down by a European Championship-ending injury which will also likely see him miss the opening two months of next season at best. They face Granada at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday. The club unsuccessfully tried to sign Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani in the January window, but the deal never got over the line.īarcelona are second in La Liga, three points behind Real Madrid ahead of a Sunday match against Real Betis.Ītletico are in sixth place after the loss to Real, 13 points off the lead after 22 matches. The second leg will be on March 3 in England.Ītletico coach Diego Simeone also can't count on forwards Diego Costa and Joao Felix because of injuries. 18 in the first leg of the competition's round of 16. Scans revealed the injury on Monday, two days after Morata was hurt in the 1-0 loss at Real Madrid and had to be substituted in the second half.Ītletico did not say exactly how long Morata is expected to be sidelined. Elsewhere in La Liga, Atletico Madrid's Morata could miss the Champions League game against Liverpool because of a right leg muscle injury.

Otkritki s dembelem