La Liga leaders Barcelona will have been disappointed by the events of Saturday, not only failing to win for a second successive game but losing key defender Samuel Umtiti to injury in the process.
The club have revealed that the France international will not return until the New Year and that he is likely to be sidelined for around eight weeks following a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo.
The former Lyon centre-back has become a key player for the blaugrana this season and an undisputed feature in the XI under new manager Ernesto Valverde, starting 12 matches in Spain’s top-flight.
Following Real Madrid’s draw at Athletic Club later the same day it’s perhaps Umtiti’s injury that is the bigger blow for Barcelona, more so than dropping two points at home.
The 24-year-old leads the way for the team in both interceptions (2.1) and passes (77.4) per game in La Liga and has made a real impact since his arrival last summer.
In fact, Barcelona have lost just one of 36 league games that Umtiti has started since the start of last season compared to eight of the 54 he hasn’t.
