Barca problems worsen as Lewa to miss Clasico

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski volition miss the Clasico against Real Madrid connected Thursday with a hamstring strain arsenic the club's problems proceed to grow.

Lewandowski, 34, was injured successful the daze 1-0 decision to Almeria connected Sunday arsenic Barca missed the accidental to unfastened up a 10-point pb implicit Madrid astatine the apical of LaLiga.

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A root told ESPN helium volition miss this week's clash astatine the Bernabeu successful the archetypal limb of the Copa del Rey semifinal and perchance league games against Valencia and Athletic Club.

Barca past big Madrid successful LaLiga astatine Camp Nou connected March 19, erstwhile Lewandowski volition anticipation to beryllium back.

Barca said successful a statement connected Monday: "Robert Lewandowski has strained the biceps femoris successful his near hamstring. The Polish striker is unavailable until the occupation clears up."

He missed 3 games done suspension successful January, and Barca person nary earthy backup for the striker having allowed some Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay to permission the club.

Barca are besides without Pedri and Ousmane Dembele done injury.

Dembele has not played since hurting his thigh astatine the extremity of January against Girona, and Pedri has not featured since picking up a sound against Manchester United connected Feb. 16.

Both players anticipation to beryllium backmost for the LaLiga Clasico against Madrid connected March 19, but Barca are facing a shortage of attackers successful the games starring up to that fixture.

In summation to the injuries to Lewandowski, Dembele and Pedri, they volition besides beryllium without Gavi against Valencia this weekend. He received his 5th booking of the play against Almeria and volition service a one-game suspension -- arsenic volition manager Xavi Hernandez.

Barca's astonishment decision against Almeria was conscionable their 2nd nonaccomplishment successful LaLiga this play and ended a 13-game unbeaten tally successful the league. They stay 7 points wide of Madrid, but the spread could person been 10 aft Los Blancos were held to a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid connected Saturday.

The decision came astatine the extremity of a disappointing week for the Blaugrana. They were besides knocked retired of the Europa League, losing 4-3 connected aggregate to United.

An aggravated Xavi branded the show astatine Almeria the "worst of the season" but, speaking earlier the game, talked up his side's chances of ending the play with a league and cupful treble having already won the Spanish Supercopa successful January.