Samuel Umtiti injury: Barcelona defender is out of action since the stunning 2-1 loss to Leganes in the La Liga.
Barcelona have slipped to second place in La Liga, with Sevilla being the surprise toppers in the table. Real Madrid have further slipped to fourth, behind Atletico Madrid in the league after a stunning 1-0 defeat against Deportivo Alaves.
Julen Lopetegui’s side is goalless since the last four matches in all competitions.
As Barcelona suffers from lack of form in the league, the Catalan side is also in a middle of a controversy surrounding midfielder Arturo Vidal. The Chilean midfielder is frustrated with the lack of game time, and Barcelona’s general manager asked him to apologize to his teammates for ‘disrespecting’ them.
Among these troubles, Ernesto Valverde is also facing a crisis in defence. After Gerard Pique’s underwhelming performances since the season began, Samuel Umtiti is now inured. The World Cup-winning defender will reportedly undergo a knee surgery.
Samuel Umtiti injury:
The Frenchman featured in all the matches for Barcelona until he was kept out with injury after the match against Leganes. With a drop in form of Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti’s role at the central defence had been more significant in this season.
🗒 | #ValenciaBarça | TEAM NEWS:-
🔷 Clement Lenglet will continue at centre-back for the Barcelona, as Samuel Umtiti is carrying an ankle problem. pic.twitter.com/Mjj9MkGCAh
— BarcaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 7, 2018
However, Sport now reports that Umtiti’s injury could keep him out for the rest of the year. The footballer has reportedly torn a ligament in his left leg.
Umtiti will undergo a knee surgery, according to the report. The recovery process for Umtiti hasn’t been as well as was expected, claims Sport.
Samuel Umtiti, who has already missed the last three Barça games due to injury, is doubtful for games against Inter Milan and Real Madrid. Umtiti continues to feel discomfort in the cartilage of his left knee and surgery isn’t ruled out [md]
— FC Barcelona Fl 🏆 (@FCBarcelonaFl) October 10, 2018
Barcelona, however, is yet to respond to the rumors regarding Umtiti’s injury.
In the absence of Samuel Umtiti, Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet will likely be the first-choice centre-backs for Barcelona. Thomas Vermaelen could further step up as a back-up option for the two defenders at the center.
❗️📰 | FC Barcelona fear Samuel Umtiti’s injury in his left knee may not heal as planned. The club are even starting to fear that the Frenchman may be out until 2019.
– Although in France they say the severity of the injury is low and that he doesn’t needs surgery.
[SPORT 🥇] pic.twitter.com/ogbpYU7jVP
— Culé Source (@CuleSource) October 11, 2018
However, the absence of Umtiti will be a huge blow for Barcelona, as the Frenchman is regarded as one of the best defenders in the league.
What next?
Ernesto Valverde’s side is win-less in the last four games in La Liga, and will face table-toppers Sevilla after the international break. They will also lock horns against arch-rivals Real Madrid later this month in the league, who are also undergoing a struggling season.
