Barcelona defender taken off injured during Athletic Club encounter

It has been a nightmare start for FC Barcelona at San Mames in their Copa del Rey quarter-final tie against Athletic Club.

The Blaugrana were pegged back within a minute after kickoff by the home team courtesy of Gorka Guruzeta’s goal.

And twenty minutes later, Barcelona were handed a major injury scare as left-back Alejandro Balde went to the ground clutching the back of his right thigh.

Looking in immense pain, the young defender immediately signalled to the bench and after medical examination, he had to be taken off by manager Xavi Hernandez.

The manner in which Balde left the pitch, wincing in pain and almost in tears, does not bode well for Barcelona as it could suggest a serious issue with his hamstring.

The 20-year-old Spanish international was replaced by fellow La Masia graduate Hector Fort on the night, with the teenager slotting in as a makeshift left-back.

As Balde headed off to the locker room, Xavi & co. will be hoping that it is not a major problem considering that they are already without Gavi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marcos Alonso, Raphinha, and Inigo Martinez.

Back-to-back goals from Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, however, have helped Barcelona turn things around at San Mames for now.