BARCELONA have been rocked by the news Javier Mascherano is facing a month on the sidelines and it could not have come at a worse time.
The veteran Argentine still remains a key part of the La Liga leaders’ squad despite now being 33.
Although he does not start as much, he is first in line to replace either Gerard Pique or Samuel Umtiti and is a key leader inside the dressing-room.
But the star will be out of contention for at least four weeks after injuring his hamstring in his country’s 4-2 defeat to Nigeria on Tuesday.
And his absence will have boss Ernesto Valverde sweating with his two first-choice centre-halves walking a disciplinary tightrope.
Both Pique and Umtiti are just one booking away from a suspension – which could potentially rule them out of a crunch clash without an able deputy to step in.
Barcelona take on bitter enemies Real Madrid in the El Clasico on December 23 – the earliest match that Mascherano could be back.
However, Pique and Umtiti will have to be careful during this weekend’s clash against Leganes.
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Should either of them find themselves cautioned then that would see them miss the following week’s meeting with second-placed Valencia.
Barca are four points clear at the top of the table but need all of their generals available to ensure they stay at the summit.
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Thomas Vermaelen is the fourth-choice defender at the Nou Camp, but with only one appearance in the Copa del Rey to his name this campaign, it will be a huge risk to throw him in against their title rivals.
Marlon Santos would probably have provided a better option as cover for Valverde rather than the Belgian, but that is a no-go after they opted to send him out on loan to Nice.
So the Barca chief will no doubt be instructing his defensive partnership to be on their best behaviour against Leganes.
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