On Thursday at Camp Nou, Barcelona will play Manchester United in the opening leg of their Europa League play-off round matchup, but they could be without midfielder Gavi in the second leg.
Xavi’s team have a few injury problems ahead of the highly anticipated showdown in Spain, with Ousmane Dembele ruled out due to a leg injury.
Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets is a significant doubt, he hurt his ankle in the 3-0 La Liga victory over Sevilla on February 5.
In Saturday’s league win against Cadiz, Ronald Araujo received his fifth yellow card of the year; however, the consequent one-game suspension only pertains to La Liga, thus he will be available to play against United.
Ten Hag’s side, meanwhile, have injury concerns of their own, with both Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen out through injury.
Marcel Sabitzer is serving a one-game ban, and will be back in contention for the second leg after picking up three bookings whilst playing for Bayern Munich in the Champions League..
Lisandro Martinez is missing for Ten Hag’s side, however, having picked up three yellow cards in the Europa League group stage. He will be available for the second leg at Old Trafford next Thursday.
However, Barcelona will need to be careful to make sure that Gavi does not suffer the same fate.
❗| If Gavi picks up a yellow card vs Manchester United tomorrow, he will miss the second leg.@fansjavimiguel [🎖️] pic.twitter.com/9XxjF5D4kn
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) February 15, 2023
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Gavi is one more yellow card away from a one-game Europa League suspension this season – even though Barca have not played in the competition this term.
That is because the 18-year-old starlet picked up two bookings in the Champions League group stages, and the yellow cards carry over to any other UEFA competition that the team plays in.
He will, therefore, miss the second leg against United if he is booked on Thursday.
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