The discomfort that forced him to leave the grass eleven minutes from the end was a simple ramp
Xavi will reserve him against Shakhtar in the Champions League as a precaution, but it was already planned
The picture of Alejando Bucket touching his calf With eleven minutes remaining in the match against Athletic, there was concern. So much so that Xavi Hernández did not hesitate for a moment to replace him. On the horizon is the duel on the third day of the group stage of the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk and, most especially, the first classic of the season against Real Madrid.
The match against the white team next Saturday in Montjuïc is marked in red on the Blaugrana calendar. And the absence of Balde would be a hard blow, especially taking into account the crowding in the Blaugrana infirmary. Xavi will not be able to count on Jules Koundé or Sergi Roberto against Real Madrid. Justo will recover Pedri, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and is pending the evolution of De Jong. None of them will arrive in the best version of him, so losing the undisputed starter on the left back, a player who provides a lot of depth and allows us to play that 3-4-3 that the coach has installed, would be a significant handicap.
The first examination as soon as we arrived at the locker room, however, brought good news. Balde does not suffer any major injury. Just a few ramps as a result of the accumulation of efforts and those discomforts in the abductor that he dragged until just 48 hours before Athletic’s visit to Montjuïc.
Balde will rest on Wednesday against Shakhtar Donestk as a precaution. But it was already planned. Of these three consecutive home games, the visit of the Ukrainian team was the least decisive, taking into account that Barça has won its first two matches in the top European competition and leads its group with authority.
He probably won’t be the only player rested against Shakhtar. Ilkay Gündogan could also get a break that injuries have prevented him from returning from his national team.