Barcelona faces a setback ahead of their pivotal Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Napoli, as Ferran Torres, a key attacking asset, is set to miss out due to injury.
The former Manchester City forward failed to participate in Barcelona’s final training session before the match, as reported by Sport.
Torres sustained an injury on the final day of January, initially expected to return within a month.
However, his recovery has been prolonged to six weeks, leaving Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez without his primary option for the left flank of the front three.
Torres has been Barcelona’s most reliable goal-scorer, boasting an impressive strike rate of one goal every 152 minutes, surpassing even Robert Lewandowski’s efficiency.
In Torres’s absence, it appears that Joao Felix will assume the role on the left wing unless Xavi opts for a four-midfielder formation, in which case Fermin Lopez emerges as the probable alternative.
While there have been suggestions of Raphinha starting in midfield, reminiscent of his appearance against Real Mallorca, the Brazilian’s impact was limited before succumbing to injury shortly before halftime.