La Liga 2023/24: FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has confirmed the injuries of star midfielders Frenkie De Jong and Pedri during their goalless stalemate against Athletic Club De Bilbao in their La Liga Matchday 27 fixture. Both the players caught injuries in the first half itself, as the Dutchman was replaced by Fermin Lopez in the 25th minute, and the former Golden Boy winner Spaniard was replaced by La Masia sensation, Lamine Yamal, in the 45th minute.
The injuries are also a huge blow to the Blaugrana as they are in a crucial tie against SSC Napoli in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League 2023/24, where the sides will meet each other for their second leg fixture in Barcelona, after they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples last month.
It will be interesting to see how FC Barcelona field their starting XI against a Napoli side that have started gaining their form back and are looking a bit of their former self (2022/23 season), where they wrecked every opposition in their way, and such is the importance of Frenkie De Jong in the side that whenever the Dutch has missed out few games, Barca have struggled a lot.
Athletic Bilbao Vs FC Barcelona La Liga Matchday 27 Fixture - Match Report
Athletic Club hosted FC Barcelona in their La Liga Matchday 27 fixture at the iconic San Mames Barria Stadium in Bilbao, as both sides were looking to capitalise on the points dropped by Real Madrid and Girona this weekend. FC Barcelona are the reigning champions of the league and are now 8 points adrift of fierce rivals Real Madrid, thanks to a goalless stalemate between the sides that had very few good chances, and lack of quality in finishing in the final third saw the sides share spoils.