FC Barcelona captain Andrés Iniesta will be sidelined for Sunday’s match against Eibar after medical tests confirmed the midfielder is suffering a minor injury on his left soleus. Iniesta was subbed off by André Gomes at halftime in the clash versus Real Sociedad at the Anoeta stadium, after feeling some discomfort on his left leg and Luis Enrique didn’t want to risk one of his mainstays any further.

Iniesta’s progress will be monitored on a daily basis to determine when he can resume trainings and return to the pitch giving the value of the Manchego for his team, as Luis Enrique explained in the pre-match presser: “There is no-one else like him in the squad, nor in world football”, said the Asturian coach, “he will be back soon as his calf injury is not serious”. The Barça manager places great confidence on the rest of the squad to fill in the shoes of the Wizard of Fuentealbilla: “I have a good selection of players in that position and they all can contribute to the team both in defence and attack.”

The Barcelona boss foresees a difficult encounter versus the Basque side due to their speed on the flanks: “One of Eibar’s virtues is their plays down the wings and their crossing skills towards the box where they have good finishers. They will remain loyal to that style which has allowed them to be where they are at this point in the league table”.

“We need to be at our best”, noted the Barça coach, “and we need to to be well-positioned to find a way through their defense. Let’s hope we can achieve now a streak of good results because we need one to put pressure to the teams above us in the table”, said Lucho.