Complete calm at Barça over Alejandro Balde fitness after Spain scare

Alejandro Balde is the latest Barcelona player to enter the infirmary. The left-back had to be substituted at half-time during the Spanish national team's win against Scotland and after the match he left the 'Roja' training camp to return to Barcelona to undergo medical tests to determine the extent of his injury. The results of which were positive from Barça's point of view.

The main proof of this is that, in the statement about his knock, Barça do not speak of injury, but of "discomfort in the adductors". The Barça internationals travelled with their national teams with very clear orders to take extreme precautions and to stop immediately if they felt any discomfort. Balde did so and, as a result, everything seems to indicate that the defender will be out for a short time. Xavi Hernandez's coaching staff are very optimistic about this.

As SPORT has been able to find out, the calmness in the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper is absolute. Club sources assure that the canterano only suffers an overload and that it will not prevent him from playing the cláisco against Real Madrid on 28 October at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys de Montjuïc. In fact, the intention is for him to make an early return so that he can arrive at the game against Madrid in perfect condition and with plenty of practice.

Barça, faithful to their policy of not taking any risks, are grateful that the Spanish national team have followed the same line and have 'released' Balde before the trip to Norway. In such a hectic schedule, it is very important not to force any player in order to avoid a small muscular problem turning into a much more serious injury.