Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has, on Saturday night, provided updates on the fitness of two important members of his squad.
Barca, of course, were back in action a short time ago.
Fresh off an embarrassing exit from the Champions League in midweek, the Blaugrana turned their attentions back towards matters in La Liga, eyeing a swift return to winning ways in a trip to the Mestalla to face Valencia.
And, when all was said and done, get things firmly back on track is precisely what Xavi and co. went on to do.
This came owing to a hard-fought victory, clinched a full three minutes into injury time.
Just as proceedings appeared to be headed for stalemate at the Mestalla, Robert Lewandowski did what he does best, getting on the end of Raphinha’s delightful floated ball to the back post to direct a delicate finish beyond Giorgi Mamardashvili and home:
LEWANDOWSKI GIVES BARCA THE LEAD IN STOPPAGE TIME 😨 pic.twitter.com/5ER3Y68fGB
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 29, 2022
As alluded to above, though, an otherwise superb night’s work for the Catalans was soured to some degree by fresh concerns on the personnel front.
Not one, but two members of Xavi’s central defensive ranks were forced into premature exits against Valencia, in the form of Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia.
Speaking post-match, Barca’s boss was therefore asked for an update on the wellbeing of the defensive duo.
And, in a boost for all associated with the club, he went on to confirm that early signals point towards ‘discomfort’ being suffered by both, rather than any form of actual injury.
🎙️🚨🚨| Xavi: “Kounde felt a strong discomfort, but it DOESN’T look like an injury. The same for Eric.” #fcblive
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 29, 2022
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