Striker’s absence is a significant blow for manager Hansi Flick, especially Robert Lewandowski also out injured
Barcelona will be without Ferran Torres for Saturday’s Catalan derby against Girona, after the club confirmed the forward has failed to recover from injury sustained during the international window.
Torres picked up a muscle issue in Spain’s World Cup qualifying match against Georgia and was ruled out of the next one against Bulgaria.
He then returned to Barcelona early, and the initial belief was that he could be passed fit for the weekend after scans showed no structural damage.
However, in a statement released on Friday, Barcelona confirmed that “first-team player Ferran Torres will miss tomorrow’s match against Girona as a precaution, due to discomfort stemming from the hamstring overload in his left leg, sustained during the international break”.
Torres’ absence is a significant blow for manager Hansi Flick, especially with his other option Robert Lewandowski also out injured.
Reports are that Flick discussed the issue directly with Torres before deciding not to risk him, preferring to ensure a full recovery ahead of a busy run of fixtures later this month.
This latest development means that Barcelona are now without Raphinha, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal were injured but have returned to training, although it is not certain that either of them could face Girona.
