Barcelona blow as star attacker ruled out of Bayern showdown

Spanish giants Barcelona have, on Sunday, been dealt something of a blow ahead of the club’s fast-approaching showdown with Bayern Munich.

CL fate on the line

Xavi Hernandez is of course set to lead his new side back into action this coming Wednesday.

After slipping to a concerning La Liga defeat at the hands of Real Betis 24 hours ago, the Blaugrana will turn their attentions back towards matters on the continent, in a Champions League group stage clash with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Barca head to the Allianz Arena in the knowledge that they cannot really afford to slip up, amid the club’s efforts to book a spot in the knockout rounds of European football’s elite club competition.

This comes with the Catalans, as things stand, sitting 2nd in the Group E table.

Benfica, however, sit just two points back of Xavi and co., meaning a defeat in Germany, coupled with a Benfica triumph up against bottom-of-the-table Dynamo Kiev, would condemn the Blaugrana to the Europa League.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 04: Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona speak to Referee Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis at Camp Nou on December 04, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Ansu blow

As such, it goes without saying that Xavi will be hopeful of having as many of his star performers as possible fit to feature from the off in Munich in three days’ time.

One such player, however, is set to play no part, it has been confirmed.

As per Spanish journalist Javi Miguel, alongside a host of others, Ansu Fati will not be afforded a spot in Barca’s squad for their crunch showdown with Bayern.

There had been hope that the teenage attacker, sidelined since early last month owing to a thigh injury, would return to the pitch in time to play his part on Wednesday night.

However, the decision has now been definitively made that Ansu will not be risked, ahead of a predicted comeback on December 18th, in a La Liga meeting with Elche.

Malas noticias para Xavi: Ansu, descartado para Múnich https://t.co/uFkDJfbSWe vía @diarioas

— Javi Miguel Club (@fansjavimiguel) December 5, 2021

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