Barcelona defender could miss both UCL Round of 16 games vs Napoli through injury

Barcelona were handed a major injury setback last night during the game against Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

First-choice left-back Alejandro Balde was substituted with an injury just 20 minutes into the game, with the youngster trudging off the pitch with tears.

While an official update from the club on his injury is yet to arrive, early reports do not paint a pleasant picture.

Balde could miss home and away tie vs Napoli

It was reported earlier today that Balde is expected to be out of action for at least a month due to the thigh injury.

It would mean that the 20-year-old would be ruled out of the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Napoli in February.

However, now, Marta Ramon of RAC1 is claiming that the actual situation could be worse than that.

The journalist reports that there is a lot of pessimism in the Barcelona camp with regard to Balde and his injury.

And there is a serious possibility that he might miss both the home and away legs of the Champions League Round of 16 tie against Napoli.

Barcelona travel to Italy to face the Partenopei on February 21 before the reverse fixture takes place at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on March 12.

The Blaugrana are already without Marcos Alonso and Balde’s injury leaves them without a natural left-back in the squad.

As such, Xavi will be forced to rely on Joao Cancelo and Hector Fort as makeshift left-backs, although the former is still not 100% recovered from his own fitness issue.