Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta will not be fit in time for Saturday's game against Sevilla, SPORT can exclusively reveal. The midfielder, who has a thigh problem, has missed the last two games, against Athletic and Olympiakos.
Now he will miss a third game, with his presence against Sevilla ruled out. While his recovery has been positive, the club don't want to rush him back and take an unnecessary risk. The club have communicated the same to Spain and expect coach Julen Lopetegui not to call him up for next week's games against Russia and Costa Rica.
Barça feel the 20 days between now and the Leganes game on Nov. 18 at Butarque will be enough to allow Iniesta to recover fully.
Therefore, Ernesto Valverde will be without a trio of midfielders this weekend: Iniesta, Sergi Roberto and Andre Gomes. The latter two have both been ruled out for around a month. With Rafinha also injured, Valverde's left with Sergio Busquets, Rakitic, Paulinho and Denis Suárez. Carles Aleña could be in the squad at the weekend.