Panic in Barcelona As Pique Set Miss Europa League Game Against Eintracht Frankfurt Through Injury

Panic in Barcelona As Pique Set Miss Europa League Game Against Eintracht Frankfurt Through Injury

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 22, 2024 at 8:41 AM
  • Xavi Hernandez is anticipated to be without Gerard Pique in their second-leg Europa League fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt at the Nou Camp
  • Pique was forced to miss Sunday's win over Levante due to an adductor problem and could not be ready in time for the crucial tie against the Bundesliga team
  • Barcelona are bidding to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League after both teams played a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany

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Gerard Pique has been ruled out for Barcelona as they prepare to host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League second leg at Nou Camp.

The 35-year-old defender picked up an adductor injury and was forced to miss the Blaugrana’s thriller against Levante, where the Catalans came from behind twice to earn a 3-2 win.

Gerard Pique, Barcelona, Xavi, Europa League, Eintracht Frankfurt, Catalans, Blaugrana
Gerard Pique has been ruled out with an adductor injury. Photo by Quality Sport Images
Source: Getty Images

According to Spanish news outlet Marca, Barcelona will also be without Sergi Roberto, Sergino Dest, and Samuel Umtiti who are all out due to injury, while Dani Alves is ruled out.

Tuta will also be unavailable for Eintracht Frankfurt after being sent off in the first leg, and Djibril Sow is a doubt after being forced off with a knee ligament strain in the weekend defeat to Freiburg.

Last week, the two teams fought to a 1-1 draw at Deutsche Bank Park, and the winner will face either West Ham United or Lyon in the last four.

Who wins the game between two in-form teams?

Tonight’s Europa League second-leg tie between Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt remains finely poised as both teams will fancy their chances of sealing a semi-final spot.

According to The Hard Tackle, Barcelona has won 14 of their last 16 home games against German opponents in Europe, while Frankfurt is unbeaten in their last nine games against Spanish sides.

Xavi has turned around the fortunes of Catalans since taking over from Ronald Koeman and will fancy winning the Europa League as his first major trophy as a Barcelona manager.

Frankfurt suffer a home defeat in tune-up for Barcelona

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Eintracht Frankfurt lost 2-1 at home to Freiburg on Sunday in a final tune-up before their crunch Europa League quarter-final at Spanish giants Barcelona.

Frankfurt striker Filip Kostic equalized after Vincenzo Grifo gave Freiburg an early lead before Nils Petersen headed in the visitors' late winner.

It was a disappointing result for Frankfurt, four days before their Europa League quarter-final, second leg at Barcelona's Camp Nou having drawn the home tie 1-1 last Thursday.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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