Javier Mascherano has joined the queue to the Camp Nou treatment room with champions Barcelona hit by a spate of injuries before they begin the new season in La Liga against Betis on Saturday.
Luis Enrique’s side paid a high price for winning the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla, with captain Andres Iniesta and defenders Jeremy Mathieu and Mascherano sustaining injuries over the two legs that will keep them out of Saturday’s game.
“I’m very happy and satisfied with what I saw on the pitch and the performances of the players who are joining the team. I’m very happy about everything except Mascherano’s injury,” said Luis Enrique after Wednesday’s second leg of the Super Cup, as Barca won 3-0 to secure a 5-0 aggregate success.
Barcelona are also without star forward Neymar, who is at the Olympics, while goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is still recovering from a minor knee injury.
Meanwhile, France international Samuel Umtiti is in line for his La Liga debut after impressing against Sevilla and will be paired with Gerard Pique.
This could be goalkeeper Claudio Bravo’s last game for Barcelona as reports suggest he is close to joining Manchester City, and the Camp Nou is sure to give him a rousing send-off for his services over the past two seasons.
Gus Poyet’s Betis have added several players in the summer, including Roma striker Antonio Sanabria, who was on loan at Sporting Gijon last season.
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