Xavi Espart goes off at the Clásico with a knee knock

Half an hour into the Clásico, Xavi Espart asked to come off, throwing himself onto the grass after a blow to his right knee in a challenge with Tchouaméni. The right-back, who started against PSG in the Champions League, was replaced by Alejandro Balde, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The extent of the problem has not been confirmed yet, but Barcelona's defence was already short: Eric García, Koundé and Christensen are sidelined with muscle injuries. Balde has played very little, and his last appearance was 16 minutes at the end of the game against PSG four days ago.

Hansi Flick was not counting on him. Last summer he gave Balde a warning and, without saying it publicly, suggested he look for a way out given the rise of Espart.