Barcelona were dealt the cruellest of blows at the Estadio Mestalla as captain Andres Iniesta had to be stretchered off after just 12 minutes of their match against Valencia, and initial tests from the club doctors have given said the duration will be between six and eight weeks.
Moving swiftly through the gears in midfield, he was scythed down by a 'scissor' challenge from Enzo Perez that referee Undiano Mallenco didn't even deem worthy of a yellow card.
Coach Luis Enrique was furious on the touchline, animatedly gesturing for urgent medical attention for his player, who was close to tears and has been given an early diagnosis of damage to his lateral collateral knee ligament as well as to the posterior capsule of the same knee.
It's a blow that the club could well have done without after so many recent injuries to their defence.
Further tests will be run on Iniesta when he arrives back in Barcelona.
A tough foul from Enzo Perez on Andres Iniesta during Saturday's LaLiga clash left the Barcelona midfielder looking at a lengthy spell on the sidelines after tearing his knee ligament, and the rest of the Blaugrana squad showed their support with a barrage of messages.
The injury took place early in the match, in the 11th minute, with Ivan Rakitic coming in to take his place.
Further tests on Sunday in Barcelona will state how long the player will be out for, though initial signs don't look especially promising.
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