Madrid (Xinhua/UNB) — FC Barcelona striker Luis Suarez is likely to be out of action for a while after suffering a calf injury in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Athletic Club Bilbao on the first day of the new Liga Santander season.Suarez was forced out of the game shortly after the half hour, moments after hitting the post with Barca’s best chance of the game, which was decided by a spectacular late volley by Athletic’s 38-year-old striker Aritz Aduriz.
Barcelona published a communique on their official website on Saturday confirming that the striker has suffered an injury to the soleus muscle in his right leg and saying “his availability will determine when he is available again.”
Suarez is unlikely to have recovered in time for Barca’s home game against Betis next weekend, while he is a major doubt for the following weekend’s trip to face recently promoted Osasuna, so he probably won’t return to action until the fourth round of games on September 14 when Barca have a tough home game against Valencia.
Leo Messi is also currently out of action as he recovers from a calf problem he suffered in pre-season, but the Argentinean is expected to be available again next week.
Speaking after Friday’s defeat Barca captain, Gerard Pique commented, “We weren’t ourselves tonight. This competition will quickly put you in your place if you are not at your best,” before adding that it was “better to lose now than later in the season.” Enditem.UNB
