Barcelona teenage defender suffers serious injury on duty with subsid… — and more

Jofre Torrents has been a regular member in training with Barcelona’s first team this season, with Hansi Flick seeing special potential in the youngster.

A left-back by trade, he has made his first-team debut and a handful of appearances under the German manager and is rated as one of the academy’s best young left-backs.

Alejandro Balde’s improved fitness and Gerard Martin’s rise have seen his prominence in the first team limited this season, with Joao Cancelo’s arrival adding even more competition.

Last night, he thus played a game for Barça Atletic but suffered a heartbreaking injury that does not look good in any capacity as reported by SPORT.

A gruesome injury

The youngster did not start the game against Alcoyano for Barça Atletic last night which eventually ended in a 1-1 draw, but went down in pain soon after coming off the bench.

Is Torrents’ season over? Photo courtesy: X/FCBMasia

Torrents was helped off the field by the medical assistants and the club staff and was visibly grimacing in writhing pain with the injury seemingly in his knee.

In fact, it was clear that Torrents could not walk nor bear any weight on his left knee after the injury in what cannot be a good prognostic sign in any sense.

The concern was visible on the faces of Barcelona’s youth director Bojan Krkic, Torrents’ on-field teammates, and the entire coaching staff and it is unlikely to be a trivial blow.

Hansi Flick will hope the injury is not too serious and that Torrents can return in a few weeks. Going by the initial signs, however, there is a good chance of the blow being a massive one, possibly even an ACL or an associated ligament injury.

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• Xhaka’s back!!
• How much of a headache does that give the gaffer?
• Reinildo is out!
• What’s going on at Fulham?
• How will the game play out?!
• Predictions!

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Real Madrid suffered a tragic defeat to Osasuna at El Sadar last night, dropping three points in La Liga and handing Barcelona a chance to go back on top less than a week after stealing the lead.

The result was not entirely surprising considering how Osasuna were dominant, created the better chances, and converted when it mattered.

They took the lead in the first-half through a penalty and entered the second period with a one-goal lead. Real Madrid, however, equalised through Vinicius Jr. in the 73rd minute and seemed set to take at least a draw back home when matters took a twist.

Ceballos’ error and apology

When the game was close to its end and the clock read 89 minutes, Real Madrid found themselves playing out from the back against Osasuna’s spirited press.

At that time, substitute Dani Ceballos miscued a pass under pressure, one that saw possession go directly to Osasuna who found openings and scored the winner seconds later.

The Spanish midfielder’s misplayed pass, in that sense, laid the foundation for the defeat and Ceballos has now come out on his social media to take responsibility for the result.

Ceballos’ error proved critical

“I take responsibility,” he posted on his Instagram after the game with a gesture asking for fans’ forgiveness.

His reaction and decision to openly take responsibility show a lot of maturity on his part and is exactly the kind of leadership Real Madrid requires at this point. However, it is also true that the defeat was not completely down to his error.

For a team of Real Madrid’s quality, the scoreline should not have been so tight at that point in the game, nor should the team have been succumbing and struggling against Osasuna’s high press as they were.

With a big UEFA Champions League game coming up midweek, Alvaro Arbeloa and Co. will look to reset, reflect, and come back stronger – Ceballos included.

Den nye OL-grenen randoné får gjennomgå. Mens utøverne kjemper mot melkesyre, mener TV-seere det ligner på et barneskirenn.