Barcelona's B team has been hit by a significant double injury blow to key squad members. Pedro Villar and Alexander Walton are set for lengthy spells on the sidelines with muscle injuries sustained during the 4-0 win over Peña Sport, with Villar out for around eight weeks and Walton for six.
The 18-year-old midfielder Villar suffered a biceps femoris injury in his left thigh during the first half and was forced off. Walton, a 20-year-old defender, came on as an 82nd-minute substitute for captain Landry Farré but could not finish the match either, departing with a right thigh quadriceps issue that left the team a man down.
These absences complicate matters for coach Juliano Belletti, who already had a lengthy injury list. Summer loan signing Josué Caicedo from LDU Quito has missed the last three matches due to overload. In defence, Walton's injury leaves Farré as the primary option at left-back.
The recovery timeline for other sidelined players is mixed. Ebrima Tunkara is the closest to returning, possibly within a couple of weeks. Juwensley Onstein is expected back between mid and late October, while Patricio Pacífico and Sama Nomoko are slated for returns in spring and January respectively. Juan Hernández is recovering from cruciate ligament surgery in April, and Dani Ávila could be back in the coming weeks after multiple recent injuries.
Belletti's side continues its campaign with these new setbacks testing the squad's depth. Fans can check the full squad status for further updates. The first team, which sits top of La Liga with 21 points from seven games, next faces Getafe at home on October 10th.
First reported at Mundo Deportivo
