Injury stricken Barcelona travel to Granada without their star striker in a must win game to keep the pressure on their bitter rivals Real Madrid who sit top of La Liga.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez speaking in his press conference acknowledged the fact that his side have a significant number of injuries, Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, Raphinha, and star striker Robert Lewandowski are all out injured.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, despite this Xavi insisted his team had not suffered an injury “plague”.
“Physically and medically, we are doing very well, doing an extraordinary job,” he insisted. “Frenkie and Robert are two ankle [injuries], the product of play and misfortune.”
When asked what kind of game he expects from Granada Xavi said “They are intense, they put pressure on, they generate a lot [of chances] … We have to avoid transitions and control their direct football”.
The head coach of Barcelona also believes Granada to be the “the most physical opponent” in the league.
Barcelona are third in the La Liga standings four points behind their biggest rivals Real Madrid.
Granada currently sit 19th having won only once so far this season, drawing two and losing five.
Embed from Getty Images
